Review/recommendation: "Last Resort"


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Written by Sensitive Stephen am 04 Mar 2001 01:36:44:

This independent film from England is now making the rounds of U.S. art film theaters. I saw it recently and thought that it was very well made and thought-provoking. The boy in it is interesting to watch and is one of the three main characters. Although the boy is cute, there are no "skin" scenes (except one brief flash of belly when his mother playfully wrestles him off to bed one evening).

Here's a plot summary borrowed from IMDb:

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The movie tells the story of Tanya (Dina Korzun), and her son Artiom (Artiom Strelnikov). Tanya leaves Moscow with her
street wise 10 year old to meet her fiance in England. When he is not at the airport, she requests political asylum. The two
confused individuals find themselves virtually imprisoned in a deserted seaside resort where all refugees are forced to
reside. There are no privileges, no money, and no means of escape.

With failed attempts to get a hold her alleged finance, Tanya finds herself in a strange relationship with a nice man named
Alfie (Paddy Considine). Tanya is not really eager to start a new relationship though, being betrayed by her fiancee and all.
Her complications deepen when Artiom becomes friends with the wrong kids, and as a means of making money to pay for
her passport, she becomes involved with an Internet pornographer, challenging her morality and conscience, as well as
jeopardizing her relationship with Alfie.

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Although Artiom is supposedly 10 in the film, he looks more like a youngish 13-year-old: two young to shave but old enough to have a light sprinkling of pimples across his nose. Bright blue eyes and classic Russian features make him a real looker. It's also a pleasure to hear his attempts to speak English with his just-changed voice.

The relationship between Artiom and Artie is also pretty touching: although I would not call Artie a boylover (he is, in fact, in love with the boy's mother), he demonstrates that he really does care for the boy a lot, too, and treats him like a real friend.

If you like quality movies that feature boys, "Last Resort" is worth your time. If you're hoping to see some skin, you'll be disappointed.

--Sensitive Stephen





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