Flesh and Blood (2002 TV Movie) User Reviews

Great little drama!

[pmose · 10/10 · 5 April 2007]

I just love this film. It handles the delicate subject matter mental disability very carefully, but also without pulling any punches or being too politically correct about it. It's raw, tender and very realistic.

The parents of the main character Joe (wonderfully played - as always- by Christopher Eccleston) are not played by actors, but by real people with learning disabilities. This was obviously a very daring choice. It could have very easily turned out badly, but in this film it works beautifully. I never got any sense that these two people were being taken advantage off in any way.

great and genuine little film, 10 out of 10!

A great film - finally i've found it...

[gaz-65 · 9/10 · 6 April 2006]

I've been trying to trace this film for soooo long, ever since seeing it on TV years ago. I was blown away. It was one of those nothing-on-TV-late-at-night-flicking-through-the-channels moments, when i came across this film after a few minutes of it starting. Thinking there was nothing else on, and not holding out much hope of a decent film, i watched it anyway and was hooked. Honestly, what a great film and what a masterful performance by Christopher Ecclestone. The delicate subject matter was dealt with extremely well, stripping away the usual prejudices surrounding mental disability, with a man coming to terms with the reality of his roots and his struggle to overcome his own prejudice. It is extremely well filmed, directed and acted - I would wholly recommend anyone to give this a go.

emotional movie

[martijnj · 9/10 · 25 October 2003]

A very touching movie about a man finding his mental disabled parents. All elements of the movie fitted together in this really emotional movie. Julian Farino delivered a perfect movie. When 'Joe' gets to know his parents, it has impact on all aspects of his life. It also perfectly shows that mental disabled people can still have a happy and meaningful life!

Now well written

[qui_j · 4/10 · 7 October 2021]

BBC movies for TV in this era really suffered from poor scripting and even worse audio. The movie begins with a confusing opening scene about which the viewer has little understanding. Much of the script dialog seems to be improvised.

Tracing birth parents, and facing a shocking discovery which affects the lives of many.

[magoo-35 · 10/10 · 30 March 2008]

Excellent handling of a very delicate subject. Full marks to the director. And the cast led by Christopher Eccleston and all supporting actors, gave extremely touching performances. The film is an eye-opener, and i felt that the final scene, the most significant and touching in my opinion, sums up the fact that even prejudice may be overcome. It was interesting and amusing at the same time, to see how the work colleague tried to interact with Harry, the male birth parent. It is very easy to fall into the trap of turning such scenes into a comedy, but this film certainly did not make fun of the disabled or handicapped and instead helped one respect and admire them.

Leather pants and designer shirt, set to go out: but this gem of a movie kept me in for the night

[bowensconrad · 10/10 · 13 December 2022]

I have looked-out for this movie since it stopped me in my tracks, over a decade ago. Truly enlightening, emotional and riveting. British drama at its very best. At the time I was far removed from any such domestic drama that did not reflect my circle of people or culture, however the human experience is a universal language... Beautifully expressed, and poignantly captured in a naturally evolving story of new relationships for all; including the viewer. This drama has inspired me to write from the head and heart, and to watch dramas with an invested determination for better days ahead, It has restored my faith in the BBC.