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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 destructive 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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