16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

Frankie (Kevin McKidd; Trainspotting, Dog Soldiers, De-Lovely) is an intelligent but angry man who reacts to the pain that life has dealt him with vicious fits of brutality. After being raised by a philandering, alcoholic father and spending his formative years leading a gang on the mean streets of Edinburgh, he discovers solace in an unfamiliar form - love. The affection of Mary (Susan Lynch; From Hell, Waking Ned Devine) forces Frankie to open up for the first time in his life. At a crossroads, Frankie looks inside himself in one last effort to deal with his demons.

Bleak and Gripping

In 16 Years of Alcohol the viewer gets a look into the life of an alcoholic skinhead (McKidd), his troubled family life, his induction into the drinking culture, his houligan friends, two bitter-sweet romances, and ultimately his move away from being an alcohlic bad-boy.

At the core of this movie is Kevin McKidd, definately one of the most talented and versitle actors today. McKidd takes us through his character Franks life with zeal rarely seen (sorry Brad Pitt could never touch McKidd). McKidd can be hideously ugly and violent in one scence, stunningly beautiful the next. Throughout the film we are repulsed by Frankie, learn to love him, and (spoiler warning) hope the beating he recieves at the hands of his old "friends" acts as a final catharsis for his old life (instead of him getting killed). As he was in Bedrooms and Hallways, Rome, Dog Soldiers, and Journeyman, McKidd is infinitely fascinating to watch, and certainly the best actor out there today. October 7, 2007

Descent movie, but could be just a little bit more

This is very similar to it's billing. A slight touch of trainspotting with a huge helping of A Clockwork Orange. A group of houligans let by Frankie stir up trouble in a scotish town. This movie focuses on the childhood, and then growth of frankie after "16 years of alcohol". This movie is told in a round, from end to beginning and back again. Interesting perspective, but not quite as gritty as it could have been. This did not give me the trainspotting tweak, or the bite of the Ultraviolence from a clockwork orange. However, does give you a slight flavor of what an Alcoholic does deal with, and what a troubled childhood brings with it. Worth while to see for fans of independent films, and independent thought. August 7, 2006

Doesn't quite reach what I feel it's goal was

Well, the begining comes off as a wannabe A Clock Work Orange and just doesn't come off quite as shocking or brutal as Clock Work did. Eventually you understand that this is a very personal story and pretty much soley focuses on the main character who does a great job at acting. However, the over all film did not leave me begging for more or even a second watch. It attempts to be brutal yet the content is honestly far from it. If your going into this film with the hopes of endless bar brawls and sheer mayhem on the streets then I'd look else where or just watch A Clock Work Orange again. I just feel the film did not reach it's full potential. If you want an emotional and personal story about one mans journey to become "a better person" then have at it.

E June 26, 2006

Disturbing, yet gripping

I'm Scottish, therefore I drink. The first time I saw this film I found it disturbing, yet gripping. The second time you notice the Ska (Reggae like) soundtrack even more. Excellent acting and a theme that you can lift your mug to. May 2, 2006

A must see film

Imagery, acting, plot, directing: this film has it all. The main character is fully fleshed out and makes you believe in him. The film will have you sitting on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This is the best film I have seen in some tiime, bar none!
Jon Drinnon December 4, 2005

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