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Pure

Play trailer Poster for Pure 2002 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A working-class youth, Paul (Harry Eden), struggles through adolescence in London after the death of his father. His mother, Mel (Molly Parker), is hooked on heroin and isn't able to look after Paul or his younger brother, and Paul fears being abandoned altogether. Paul strikes up a friendship with a young waitress, Louise (Keira Knightley), but she too has severe drug problems and can't offer Paul a reliable foundation. Paul nevertheless tries to keep the family together.

Critics Reviews

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Alexander Walker London Evening Standard 01/10/2018
These are all problem people, but they bring on compassion fatigue. The feelgood conclusion he tags on just isn't earned by the oversimplified resolution of the family's troubles. Go to Full Review Charlotte O'Sullivan Independent (UK) 11/15/2017
MacKinnon's too timid to explore this in any depth. Pure is basically a morality tale, which sends out the Harry Potter-ish message that pluck, rather than luck, saves the day. Go to Full Review Eric D. Snider EricDSnider.com 04/04/2011
B-
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Audience Reviews

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Edward C 10/09/2022 Best acting I've seen in years. Harry Eden is fantastic as the 10 y/o boy caught in a heroin world. He alone made the film 5 stars. Keira Knightley is excellent as a sometimes supportive friend, but she too is an addict and eventually gets the boy high. The actress playing Harry's mother is also good in a difficult role. The ending was a little to "rosy" to be realistic, Harry and Keira's acting made up for it. See more 07/14/2016 Extremely depressing and rather slow-moving, although young actor Harry Eden gives a powerful performance. See more 03/20/2015 As brilliant as Harry Eden's performance, as compelling as Molly Parker's, Pure is a remarkable experiences of cinematic character driven. See more 08/24/2012 A powerful film about a mothers strong bond with her son and what her son is willing to do to save his mother from her bad drug addiction and the abuse from her dealer boyfriend whom she owes money to. Plus feature Keira knightly bravest and best performance to date. The movie is well write. And acted especially by 12 year old Harry Eden, Canadian actress Molly Parker and Keira all quite good and holds the film together. See more 07/31/2012 The story needed more touchable elements, other ways Pure is good drama movie. Good acting and performances. Even kids did good job in their roles. See more 07/08/2012 Okay movie. Thought much something else than the back cover said, but not completely waste of money though. And the European front cover was different... anyways. Good acting, great performances, but the story ain't that touchy to me. Somehow leaves me a bit cold. I wanted to feel for this film but it didn't give me more thoughts to flow, more... I don't know. Something was missing. See more Read all reviews
Pure

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Gillies MacKinnon

Director

Molly Parker

Mel

David Wenham

Lenny

Harry Eden

Paul

Geraldine McEwan

Nanna

Keira Knightley

Louise
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Pure

A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. A scene from the film PURE directed by Gillies MacKinnon. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A working-class youth, Paul (Harry Eden), struggles through adolescence in London after the death of his father. His mother, Mel (Molly Parker), is hooked on heroin and isn't able to look after Paul or his younger brother, and Paul fears being abandoned altogether. Paul strikes up a friendship with a young waitress, Louise (Keira Knightley), but she too has severe drug problems and can't offer Paul a reliable foundation. Paul nevertheless tries to keep the family together.
Director
Gillies MacKinnon
Producer
Howard Burch
Screenwriter
Alison Hume
Distributor
Indican Pictures
Production Co
A Bad Way Ltd.
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 13, 2002, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 10, 2005
Release Date (DVD)
Jul 25, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA)
$102.0K
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)