By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2 cats
Director: Duncan Roy
Starring: Diana Quick | George Asprey | Lindsey Coulson | Matthew Leitch
Country: united_kingdom
Year: 2004
Running time: 123
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317052/combined
Bruce says: “This film is partially autobiographical, for the director, Duncan Roy, actually served a prison sentence for impersonating the son of an aristocrat. In AKA, the central character, an eighteen year old working class boy, goes by the name of Dean Page (Matthew Leitch). His mother (Lindsey Coulson) entices him with tales of the upper class folks she serves lunch to in the Savoy dining room. In particular, she idolizes Lady Gryffoyn (Diana Quick).
“Dean has problems at home. He is continually sexually abused by his father in the bedroom and verbally abused by his father at the dining table. When he runs away from home, he first is picked up by an older gentleman cruising a park near Lady Gryffoyn’s home. He is quickly introduced to a gay lifestyle. Next, he marches into Lady Gryffoyn’s art gallery and asks for a job. She is so taken aback by his effrontery that she hires him. Her son, Alexander, in an insufferable snob and is miffed at the attention his mother showers on Dean. Lady Gryffoyn even gives Dean a credit card.
“Many credit card charges later, Dean is on his way to Paris with a brand new wardrobe. In Paris, Dean poses as Alexander Gryffoyn. He becomes involved with David (George Asprey), an idle rich thirty-something who is keeping a young American hustler (Peter Youngblood Smith). Through their contacts he travels through many of the better drawing rooms in Paris. David falls in love with the faux Alexander, including his esteemed position in society; the young American wants to get his hands on some of the Gryffoyn money. Scotland Yard wants Dean Page.
“Matthew Leitch, Lindsey Coulson, George Asprey and Diana Quick all take turns with juicy dramatic moments but none of them can sustain their finer moments in the long run. Peter Youngblood Smith is over-the-top as the tactless American. Fenella Woolgar has another delicious cameo.
“Roy skims the surface of his material; as a result the film lacks plausibility. Dean’s relationships with almost all the other players are hazily sketched, leaving the viewer wondering exactly what is going on. AKA treats homosexuality as a product of child abuse, frivolous behavior and decadent lifestyles. Such posturing eliminates the opportunities for creating a serious character study and meaningful social commentary. The material is reduced to the level of a mediocre adventure film. Imposter films such as CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (fact) and THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (fiction) are more believable. 2 cats”