pure (2002). gillies mackinnon.

this is just another drug film. i wouldnt say it's far more than just that. but it's still aninteresting film worth watching. the whole film is wisely built around a young boy, played by fascinating Harry Eden, one of the best child actors i've seen. his mum, like everybody he knows in his east london neighbourhood, is a junkie. his mum is a quite weak n pathetic person craving only for her "medicine" n not caring much about anything else is contrasted to her mature and grown up kid that can almost live on his own, take care of himself and his mother. his only moments of actual happy fun childhood are short lived and shared with a young addict portrayed beautifully by Keira Knightley in one of her best performances and films actually. even if it's not something u havent seen before, it's still a good film because of the romantic realism, the firm leading hand of mackinnon, the excellent performances by the whole cast, the truth of the whole situation n the parents-children-social services-dealers and so on, but also the different and at times hopeful perspective.