Tales of a misspent youth

Sixteen Years of Alcohol

Director: Richard Jobson

Cast: Kevin McKidd, Laura Fraser, Susan Lynch, Stuart Sinclair Blyth, Ewan Bremner

Cert: 18.

If it’s about violent teenagers, drugs, booze and sex it’s a Scottish film; seems to be the current state of play.

This one, about violent teenagers, drugs, booze and sex, marks the directorial debut of TV celeb, author and journalist Richard Jobson. It is not a bad film but it surely is a depressingly downbeat one.

McKidd plays Frankie, an Edinburgh teenager whose images of his father as a heroic figure are shattered when he learns the truth. The discovery of dad as a womaniser drives the lad to violence and booze until he finds true romance with Helen (Fraser) and where the AA meetings are held.

McKidd and Lynch are particularly good but the film, albeit one with a serious subject, takes itself too seriously, especially with a preachy voice-over and a constantly depressing air.

Star Rating: 2/5