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With PURE, Gillies MacKinnon (whose
'Regeneration' was also released by
Artificial Eye) makes a welcome return
to the themes and styles of his earlier
films, 'Small Faces' and 'The Grass
Arena', with this hard-edged exploration
of a ten year old boy’s extraordinary
struggle to save his mother from a des-
tructive drug addiction.
What makes the film so powerful is that
the main story is told through the eyes of
the boy, Paul - a standout performance
from newcomer Harry Eden - |
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who displays a mixture of vulnerability and innocence with a maturity beyond his tender years.
We experience the harsh realities he is forced to encounter as he attempts to keep his family
together at all costs.
Growing up in the shadow of West Ham’s football stadium at Upton Park, ten year old Paul
(Harry Eden) is experienced beyond his years, having taken on the role of caretaker to mother
Mel (Molly Parker) and younger brother Lee following the sudden death of his father.
With heroic optimism, Paul takes drastic steps to rescue his mother from addiction. The ending is
left uncertain, as Mel finally hits rock bottom and miraculously is able to summon up her strength
in an attempt to save herself and her family.
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