Eight (1998)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Stephen Daldry

Writer:

Tim Clague (writer)

Genre:

Short

Plot:

A day in the life of an eight-year-old soccer fan who has to come to terms with living in a strange new town and the loss of his father. |

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Jack Langan-Evans	...	Jonathan
Mark E'von	...	Terry
Gina McKee	...	Mum

Also Known As:

N'That (Europe: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

13 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:U

Filming Locations:

Poole, Dorset, England, UK

Company:

Jerwood Films

Movie Connections:

Edited into Cinema16: British Short Films (2003) (V)

Made more than eight years ago, but still an excellent short movie

This morning I watched this short film for the first time, and have since purchased my own copy. It is about an eight-year old boy called Jonathan and his attempts to come to terms with the absence of his father. During the thirteen minutes of run time we are given glimpses into Jonathan's daily routine as he lives out his fantasies as a world-class footballer and the son of a man who might, in this small boy's mind, have been anything, perhaps even an astronaut. But for me the single most poignant sequence in this movie sees Jonathan walking over and taking the extended hand of a father that has, whilst distracted, let go of his own son's hand. For a brief moment, before the man realises his mistake, Jonathan walks hand in hand with a father. The sequence is both tragic and comic and, despite the fact that it lasts only seconds, its impact remains.

However, this is more than just a movie about a fatherless little boy and his lonely, displaced mother. There is a deeper sadness that is revealed as the moments unfold.

The part of Jonathan is played by Jack Langan-Evans. Despite what seemed to be a natural ability to act, or at the very least be well-directed, Jack seems to have no further entries on IMDb. Filmed on the South Coast, with a minimum of characters, the scenes in the sand dunes are magnificent - even the wind plays its role perfectly.

I intend to watch this short film repeatedly and to force it upon everyone I know. Excellent.