It's a carefully made movie, evocatively filmed and intelligently thought out by the director and his cast.
16 Years Of Alcohol (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:15
Fresh:12
Rotten:3
Average Rating:6.5/10
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for pervasive language, some violent content and sexual material.
Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Mar 18, 2005 Limited
Synopsis: Set in Edinburgh in three distinct periods in the life of Frankie Mac, 16 Years of Alcohol provides a challenging introduction to a man’s belief in the meaning of hope. As a young boy Frankie... Set in Edinburgh in three distinct periods in the life of Frankie Mac, 16 Years of Alcohol provides a challenging introduction to a man’s belief in the meaning of hope. As a young boy Frankie Mac (Kevin McKidd - Trainspotting) watches the world around him drench itself in alcohol. His father, who has always been an iconic figure to Frankie, is seen for the first time as a philandering liar. In his teenage years, Frankie leads a gang. They thrive on music, clothes and violence. A chance meeting with a young woman, Helen, introduces Frankie to a whole range of possibilities. He distances himself from the gang, which turns them against him, creating a fatal enemy in the shape of former gang member Miller. As his life starts to take a wrong turn, he falls back into the familiar pattern of violence and alcohol. As a man, Frankie finds new focus through group meetings and his role as an actor. He meets a new woman, Mary, who shows him how to be open and honest. A real sense of what his life could be begins to surface. But the shadow of the past is never far behind him and threatens once again to tear his life apart. -- © Tartan Video [More]
Starring: Kevin McKidd, Susan Lynch, Laura Fraser, Jim Carter
Starring: Kevin McKidd, Susan Lynch, Laura Fraser, Jim Carter, Ewen Bremner
Studio: Tartan Films
Get This Movie
Reviews for 16 Years Of Alcohol
The frequent narration is a nonstop string of clichés, platitudes, and truisms that should have been flung out the cutting-room window.
Actually, it's Trainspotting without the predilection for 'junk' and dead babies who crawl on the ceiling.
Even in its most violent moments, 16 Years Of Alcohol is suffused with visual poetry.
Richard Jobson's debut is full of abiding images that linger long after the final credits.
The film has a poetic pulse, its ups and downs accompanied by some smartly chosen pop songs, a seductive original score and McKidd's husky voice-over narration.
Despite reams of maudlin narration, McKidd's powerful performance as a conflicted man makes this beautifully shot low-budget feature worth checking out.
This Scottish memoir of inebriation and sobriety leans heavily on the hurt of booze and rarely on the high.
The voice-over is a touch pretentious and a few scenes play like acting exercises, but the film is filled with a real sense of hopeless poignancy.
The freely associative, poetic tone signals this isn't going to be just another grungy British pic about young malcontents and petty crime.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- 16 Years Of Alcohol at Rotten Tomatoes
- 16 Years Of Alcohol at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


