Pure. . - Mixed Media - movie review

New Internationalist, May, 2003

directed by Gillies MacKinnon

Paul is 10 years old. His father is dead. His mother, hooked on heroin, can hardly function. Stoical, careworn Paul looks after her and his younger brother. In an early scene we see Paul getting his brother ready for school and preparing breakfast in bed for his mum, Mel. Devoted and ever-thoughtful, he doesn't forget her 'medicine' -- he melts a spoon of H over a flame then, preparing the syringe, checks there are no bubbles in the needle.

Pure is the story of Paul and Mel's love for each other and his struggle to get her off the heroin. It's also a struggle with Lenny, his dad's best mate, a pimp and dealer, who supplies her. With his paternal grandmother, who wants to take in her grandchildren. And with the local care authorities.

The heart of the film, the relationship between mother and son, is beautifully delineated and convincing. It's hard to believe that Canadian Molly Parker, as Mel, is acting -- her East London accent is perfect, and, as she sinks, her skin texture deteriorates, her face and eyes swell up. Director MacKinnon has shown (Small Foces, Hideous Kinky) how well he works with child actors, but the scrip as a lot of Harry Eden playing Paul script asks in fact. He's astonishingly good, but it's not surprising he can't find the hysteria and rage that a child in his situation is likely to feel.

Pure occasionally sentimentalizes -- but at core it's a gripping, truthful story of love and commitment.

Rating ***

REVIEWERS

Peter Whittaker * Louise Gray * Malcolm Lewis * George Fisher

STAR RATING

EXCELLENT * * * * *

VERY GOOD * * * *

GOOD * * *

FAIR * *

POOR *