Ruby Blue
- Director: Jan Dunn
- Writer: Jan Dunn
- Producer: Charles Finch; Mark Foligno
CGiii Comment
Possibly, there was a great film here but the heavy-handed direction managed, quite quickly, to allay all the ambitions that may have been present on paper.
The ridiculous transsexual storyline is obtrusive, unrealistic and really rather silly - if not wholly unnecessary. It's so contrived.
Dunn's direction really is the sore point - this is bleakest Britain done bleakly.
The film comes to a rapid conclusion which only serves to amplify that Dunn ran out of steam and inspiration.
She did do an admirable job with the Dogme-inspired Gypo - for this project she should have forgotten all about that Dogme ethical nonsense...and gotten down to the business of telling what could have been a beautiful story.
Quite annoying and badly acted by the support - it comes across as a rushed waste of potential talent.
No trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Jack (Bob Hoskins) is consumed by guilt and past regret. He is hated by his son and abused by local youths. The death of his wife leaves Jack lost and alone in his self loathing. Hope arrives in the unlikely form of eight year old, Florrie, when she moves in next door and delights in Jack's neglected racing pigeons, unwittingly rekindling his own love for the birds. When his glamorous French neighbour, Stephanie (Josiane Balasko) takes pity on him, Jack cannot help but fall for her charms. When gradually his innocent friendship with Florrie is thrown into question when the girl goes missing and Stephanie reveals a well kept secret, Jack's life is thrown into turmoil. His son comes to his defence amidst the local mob mentality and Jack finally faces his own prejudices to win back Stephanie's love.
Cast & Characters
Bob Hoskins as Jack;
Josiane Balasko as Stephanie;
Jody Latham as Ian;
Josef Altin as Frankie;
Jessica Stewart as Florrie;
Shannon Tomkinson as Stacey;
Sean Wilton as Dick;
Angelica O'Reilly as Rosie;
Ashley McGuire as Debbie;
Chloe Sirene as Cecile;
Michael Mills as Joey;
Sam Talbot as Sean;
Corinna Powlesland as Suzy;
Lisa Payne as Policewoman;
Rebecca Clow as DCI Cartwright