Young Adam (2003)

Young Adam is a British drama based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Alexander Trocchi. Set in 1950's Scotland the story concerns Joe Taylor (Ewan McGregor) a one time aspiring novelist who is now just kind of bumming around working odd jobs at docks and on barges. Joe is kind of a bastard, there are really only four female characters in this film, and Joe sleeps with all four of them, including the wife (Tilda Swinton) of his employer (Peter Mullan) and an ex girlfriend (Emily Mortimer) who he gets pregnant and later inadvertently causes to drown. Joe Taylor is not a likable guy, but he's not all that unlikable either, he's just kind of there, a hallow man an anti-hero, and this film follows him around as he indecisively broods, and turns out that's enough to make this movie good if not great. The performances are restrained and understated much like the gray, dirty and damp landscape of the Scottish docks and canals were most of the movie takes place. The structure of the film is very literary, it jumps back and forth through time and its not always clear the order events are happening in until near the end, and then its one of those 'oh my God, now it makes sense moments'. Not for everybody, even I didn't really 'enjoy' the film, but I did appreciate the artistry that went into it. ***