Shuttlecock (1991) User Reviews

There's a Story in There, Somewhere

[Jahzoone · 4/10 · 27 December 2020]

I fell a sleep the first time watching. The following morning I decided to try and watch it again, because I really didn't know if I was just board or missing the whole point of the story. Anyway, on the second go-round, I found the plot. It's a touching film, however, one must be open to long drawn out scenes and a payoff that makes one wait.

Unfortunately Did Not Engage This Viewer

[evelynrae · 4/10 · 27 August 2021]

I had no expectations about this film. I am a fan of Alan Bates, but there's only a shadow of a performance. I understand there was supposed to be a 'mystery' about him, but I figured it out in the first hour. I didn't learn enough to about the lead characters (Bates, his son or the grandson) to be engaged in the story or to be emotionally or mentally invested. The film has high production qualities but the story lacked substance. I started watching but gave up half way through. I watched the entire film the following week to give it a fair assessment. I can't recommend this to most. It definitely isn't a 'thriller.' Boring? Not sure. Not sure what this thing was supposed to be. As I stated, I knew what the 'secret' was so there was no big reveal at the end. Too bad Mr. Bates didn't have something better to work with.

Ignore The Low Rating

[vegibug · 8/10 · 10 November 2020]

The only reason I can imagine this film has received poor reviews is because it is being promoted as a thriller, when it is not. It's not suspenseful. It's a straight-up family drama that involves lies and omissions and how they have affected three generations of men. I watched it thinking it would be a thriller, but as I also like well-made dramas I stuck around and was glad I did. I imagine most of the people giving a poor review ditched the movie within minutes of finding out it isn't a thriller.

It is filmed beautifully, and the acting is on point. The soundtrack is unobtrusive but solid. The pacing is a bit slow, but makes sense overall. I've never seen the lead actor before but he is one of the few actors who can realistically play himself as a young dad as well as himself as a middle-aged man. Impressive.

If you are keen on a fast-paced thriller with spies, action, and suspense you will likely give up on the film quickly. If you enjoy non-cliche dramas check this one out.

A stunning, innovative and exceptionally well acted film.

[stelres · 9/10 · 1 August 2004]

This astonishing film based on Graham Swift's novel, "Shuttlecock," captures the essence of Swift's unmercifully precise but poignant dissection of a father/son relationship in a series of emotionally brutal outbursts and nightmarish flashbacks before pulling both men to a point of resolution - for good or ill. No spoilers here but you won't be sorry you stayed the course.

Although a bit uneven, the film is visually stunning, innovative and exceptionally well acted, especially by the principals. The late Alan Bates, once again, proves to be the past master of the enigmatic in all its guises. As the father, Bates slips into psychosis as naturally as picking up the morning newspaper while the harried and self-loathing son (Lambert Wilson) struggles to reach into his father's past as his own life unravels. An artful, ambitious film well worth seeing on many levels.

While striving to solve a mystery, the film creates on of its own. Why has this truly excellent film (shown on UK TV) never been released to theaters? There are hints in the Alan Bates Archive but is that really the whole story? This film cries out to be seen!

a haunting film

[Fouad Realbox · 9/10 · 12 March 2005]

A film with an extraordinary cinematography and music. Acting by Alan Bates and Lambert Wilson is excellent. The atmosphere of the film between past and present is extremely well rendered. Music by Garbarek adds to the haunting feeling. Although the end scene is not convincing, the film is very interesting and compelling to watch. I saw it twice and was equally fascinated. The cinematography of Denus Lenoir is simply amazing, it all looks like Rembrandt paintings. Alan Bates is amazing,as usual, in the role of man broken by his guilt and victim of a cruel ordeal. It was shot in Portugal and the UK. I highly recommend this film that I saw by accident on a TV channel. I think it is was never released in theaters.