A.K.A.
2004
Described as a modern-day Pygmalion, A.K.A. is a mesmerising study of the British class system. Set in Thatcher’s Britain during the 80s, it tells the story of Dean (Leitch) a shy, working-class lad from Romford who has been kicked out by his abusive father. He heads for London and meets up with gallery owner and society .. Read more
| Starring | Lindsey Coulson, Matthew Leitch, Diana Quick |
|---|---|
| Director | Duncan Roy |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
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A.K.A.
Described as a modern-day Pygmalion, A.K.A. is a mesmerising study of the British class system. Set in Thatcher’s Britain during the 80s, it tells the story of Dean (Leitch) a shy, working-class lad from Romford who has been kicked out by his abusive father. He heads for London and meets up with gallery owner and society hostess Lady Gryffoyn (Quick).He soon embarks on a new life of deception and duplicity. Rent boys, toffs, artists, Champagne and coke all flow free and fast, but as Dean heads off to Europe and spends more of the upper classes’ money, the Fraud Squad closes in on him.
| Starring | Lindsey Coulson, Matthew Leitch, Diana Quick |
|---|---|
| Director | Duncan Roy |
| Studio | MILLIVRES MULTIMEDIA / LACE |
| Run time | DVD: 3 hrs 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 04 Apr 2005 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
A.K.A. (2 discs) (2004)
Or you can rent each disc individually:
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Critics' reviews (3)
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...a fascinating panorama on a particularly British malaise
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Deeply felt and constantly entertaining.
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Most helpful member's review
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31 out of 34 people found this review helpful
very well worth a watch
I really liked this film. It took a couple of viewings, in part because the triptych presentation left a slight feeling that there was more to be seen than could be gleaned from a single observation, but more importantly, because I wanted to watch it again. It perfectly captured a late 70’s setting and the contrasting social milieux of its characters, so germane to the story, though it may be said that the aristocracy are depicted without any sympathy; having little to redeem them from a one dimensional, elitist, utterly dislikeable shower of hoorahs. While I’m sure this may have some basis in truth and served the plot fairly well, I don’t think it is necessarily realistic.
I have to disagree forcefully with one or two of the reviews which suggested the acting was under par. Lindsay Coulson (better known as Carol from Eastenders) was predictably brilliant and reinforced my opinion of her as one of Britain’s best actresses. Matthew Leitch in the lead role was also excellent: endearing and truthful in his portrayal of duplicity and deception. In singling those two out, I should add that this was in the context of a generally high standard of acting.
I’m quite sure that the film would have lost a great deal in a standard format and the three-screen split, with its slight asyncronisms and deliberate continuity shifts, hinted at the possibility of alternate realities, reminding the viewer of the delicate balance of probability and fate. I wondered whether the split screen version was conceived as a post-production re-edit, but the intelligent subtleties of alternative timing in action argue against this.
You are given a sense of voyeurism, as though watching the story through ‘trinoculars’. As engaging as the story is, watching three smaller viewing panes, surrounded by a black border, keeps the viewer slightly alienated or detached and allows for a more impartial examination of events: one is not being told what to watch (although the director chooses to replay certain lines of dialogue as if to highlight a crucial point).
That this is based on true events adds further intrigue (though only retrospectively in my case, as I was unaware of this fact until after watching), but you are certainly caught up in the suspense as Dean’s seemingly inevitable exposure looms and is frequently averted throughout.
AKA is an intelligent, thought provoking and beautifully directed drama which comments incisively on the still prevalent social divisions in the British class system. Though it has a gay context, this is treated contextually rather than bashing you round the head with familiar clichéd themes. One to watch certainly and possibly even one to buy. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
My past life before me...
Yes that was part of my life with director Duncan Roy in our formative gay years and although this cosmetic version of the late 70's early 80's is a quite true story - Duncan has made a good film into a complicated trip for the populus. Still, I was there and it all happened to varying degrees of truth. I just wish I had kept Duncan's letters from his 10 months in Brixton! Well done my dear old friend lets do it all again... the actual events not a film version!
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