The incomparable John Hurt delivers one of the finest performances of his illustrious career in this inventive romantic drama with a quirky sensibility and a charming temperament. Hurt plays the world-weary ex-con Poole, who owes a former gangster boss a ton of money. On the run, he soon finds a room in a quiet, suburban home run by Alice (Brenda Blethyn) and her irascible mother. Less a film about plot and gangsters than about finding love, Poole finally has to make a choice in his life: remain the eternal adolescent or finally grow up. Director John Lynch does a magnificent job in exploring the world of an irresponsible, ageing charmer who is growing tired of forever running away from life.

Ireland, 1998.
Colour.
92 mins