AKA
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Blake Ritson, Diana Quick, George Asprey, Lindsey Coulson, Matthew LeitchDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-14
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sundance Channel Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of AKA
Movie Review: Fine Film in Two Versions for Double Pleasure!
Summary: 5 Stars
AKA is an Art Film in every sense of the word. The script by Director Duncan Roy is autobiographical and extremely well written. According to the film, Dean Page (in a phenomenally sensitive portrayal by Matthew Leitch who appeared in 'Band of Brothers') is the only child of an abusive father (the abuse includes sexual abuse) and a mother who is a waitress in a classy eatery populated by the upper crust of British society - a class she longs to know intimately. The abuse finally comes to a head and Dean leaves home only to be befriended by a lonely elderly gay man who introduces him to friends who for the first time make Dean feel 'acceptable'. Dean longs to have the privilege and money of the upper class and he sets about to imitate and eventually create a persona as the son of Lady Gryffoyn (Diana Quick in her usual fine stylish performance standard), another person who has befriended him. Assuming the 'role' of Alexander Gryffoyn, Dean uses a credit card to gain meals, clothes, and all the trimmings of a forged identity. He is unable to engage in relationships with either male or female, as his memory of his father's abuse always remains a demon. Eventually he encounters a young lad Benjamin (Peter Youngblood Hills, also from the 'Band of Brothers' cast), is attracted to his way of life, and when Dean moves from London to Paris to keep ahead of the law, he finds Benjamin there with his latest consort David (George Asprey) and the three become a 'triptych'. Eventually Dean's hoax is discovered but not before he has thoroughly lost his ungainly accent, learned the manners and methods of the gentrified British class, and is able to fool everyone but himself. How the fall of this facade plays out is the beauty of the story, and that ending includes many very poignant insights into parenting, into British class systems, and into the subject of sexuality. The cast is uniformly excellent (cameos include a blind 'Uncle" played by Bill Nighy!) and the photography is beautiful. And that is where the Double Pleasure comes in. This film was shot in both full screen single camera focus and in a beautifully realized Triptych form: in the later there are always three film frames of each scene allowing the viewer varied vantages and moments of emphasis that only grow more pertinent as the film's story is known. The story and cast and directing are so strong that I chose to watch the film first in the single screen format to see the story. Then watching it in the Triptych format is ever so much more meaningful. This is not only a very good film, it is an excellent example of how cinema can move bravely into the complete art arena. Highly recommended on every level.
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