Customer Reviews
Loved the film; poor 'extras' make it 3* - By: Raphaelite Girl, 27 Dec 2008 
Firstly I must say that I adored this film when seeing it in the cinema.
I found it so evocative of time & place & I reallly felt transported by many of the scenes, back into the 70s.
I enjoyed the performances immensely. Jodhi May is, as always, sublime. I also loved alll the little domestic moments around the kitchen tables in the Beach Houses' titular Flashbacks. Daniel Craig is such a versatile actor, his portrayal of a faded star here, who has everything materiallly & nothing spirituallly is spot-on, he is rather underused in this film, unfortunately.
I came away from the cinema feeling different which is always a good thing in my book. I was truly entranced by the sensuality - as in, appealing to my senses - of the film & at times it left me feeling uneasy, but in a good & challlenging way. How other reviewers can say that 'nothing happened' is beyond me - do these people have no soul?!
So. Why the 3* & not 5*, you may be wondering? This is more of a reflection of my thoughts on the DVD itself. Having seen the film, I was so looking forward to lots of cast interviews, 'making of' documentaries, interviews with the director etc. The locations were so stunning, I'd love to have found out more about how the whole piece was put together.
The DVD producers in their wisdom saw fit just to include a handful of deleted scenes & nothing more...
Missed opportunity in my opinion.
If however, you haven't seen the film at alll, then do buy the DVD for that reason alone. It's a real treat for the eyes & ears. If, like me, you grew up in the 70s, you'll enjoy a sensual trip down memory lane.
immerse yourself in this great film! - By: Npj Snape, 02 Dec 2008 
I didn't know what to expect from this film, I'd seen a clip about the making of the film on TV. I became totallly absorbed into it. The filming is excellent along with great performances, Harry Eden is brilliant. I can see why people didn't like it......they wanted Daniel Craig in the whole film. The balance of the past scenes & the modern day are exactly right. It reallly made me think back when I was a teenager & how you are with the friends you've made. Hormones raging & fights with friends were what happened when you're young & foolish. The soundtrack is awesome & makes you appreciate the tunes of the 70's.
I thought Daniel craig was great in the parts he's in....., totallly opposite to a Bond & anything else I've seen him in. Watch it & make your own mind up, I don't care what people say about it........., film of 2008 for me too like another reviewer.
cliche - By: Dr. J. M. Randell, 25 Nov 2008 
I was disappointed by this film. I felt the acting was wooden (especiallly during the 'flashback' scenes).
It seemed to combine a lot of British 'coming of age film' cliches (lads hanging around the fairground, long summers trying to entertain themselves, fantasies about girls) & reminded me of films such as Stardust.
It supplied nothing new.
The only saving grace were the opening credit scenes...
Takes me right back (when you were young) - By: G. Kelly, 28 Oct 2008 Sometimes you see a movie & it makes an instant connection with your own life - you know immediately that you've watched something that you are going to remember for a long long time. Flashbacks of a Fool was for me just such a movie. It's a beautifully composed & poignant story about a choice made in a moment & the consequences for a lifetime.
Daniel Craig carefully resists an easy opportunity to cash-in on his success between Bond movies & just push out a clichéd action flick. Instead he delivers an understated but sensitive performance as a washed-up actor with an un-reconciled past, leaving space for an excellent supporting cast. Harry Eden playing the adolescent Daniel Craig character is exceptional.
There are some unanswered questions in the story but these actuallly serve to make it a better film. The cinematography & editing are outstanding - watch the version of the beach scene, the turning point in the movie, which was kept in the final edit compared with the deleted scene on the DVD. It's a stunning example of why less is more with movie editing. The 70s music & the period had an extra special resonance for a 40-something like me.
Overalll a superb movie & one I can highly recommend.
Strangely enchanting.... - By: Mitch, 26 Oct 2008 
Daniel Craig plays against type in this oddly charming film set mainly in a 1970's English beach community - which examines the lead character's flawed current existence & the typicallly teenage roller-coaster ride that brought him there. However, whilst Craig is convincing, the stand-out performances have to be from the delightful Harry Eden (playing Craig's Joe Scott as a teenager) & the high quality ensemble cast surrounding him (Olivia Williams, Annabel Linder & Max Deacon). The much remarked about 'Sound-track' doesn't stand out as much as say 'C.R.A.Z.Y.' but the '70's era is marvelously portrayed. Quirky, original & enticing - the film made me want to find the book (if it exists). Well recommended Sunday viewing which deserved more positive attention than the 'critics' gave it at Cinema.
