Flaws and merits, but more merits

Rating: 8/10 (10 April 1999)

In the eventual final cut that emerged from the celebrated editorial disputes, flaws and merits struggle for supremacy but the merits, I think, win over. On the down side, the treatment of Derek's ideological metamorphosis is a tad superficial (though understandably presented), and Tony Kaye's arty camerawork is sometimes used to overblown effect, as is the otherwise beautiful score. On the up side, there are fine individual scenes and excellent performances, and when the visuals do work they can be stunning - there can't be many films in which the opening credits themselves are a work of art. AHX is not perfect but it is affecting and more special than the typical multiplex movie-by-numbers. In a way, its flaws themselves could be seen to reflect its attempt to do something darker and original and not stick to safe guidelines.