TeenzTen An action-packed slog

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

yawnmower1 AKA is writer/director Duncan Roy's thought-provoking memoir of his own youth. He escaped from a brutal, sexually abusive working-class household by assuming the identity of a young aristocrat and became famous - or notorious, rather - in the process.Mr. Roy's movie is brilliantly written, directed, and cast. Matthew Leitch is perfect as Dean, the handsome, sweet, innocently seductive young man who desperately wants a better -- or, to be more precise, another -- life. His intelligence, looks, charm, and manner make people want to believe he is who he says. All the actors are notable and entertaining. Two are exceptional: Diana Quick as the prickly patrician Lady Gryffoyn, whose son Dean impersonates; and George Asprey as the striking, urbane, gay aristocrat who takes Dean under his wing. Heir to the Asprey fortune in real life, he was born for the part.Aside from the fascinating story, imaginative photography done solely with available light, and perfect musical support, AKA is a scathing portrayal of the English class system, where aristocrats rely on certain cues (accent, pronunciation, name, manners, schooling, demeanor) to identify one another and preserve their exclusivity. Dean lives as 'one of them' successfully and happily for over a year. After which he says, quite truthfully (if Mr. Roy's portrait of Alexander Gryffoyn is in any way accurate in its mean-spirited snobbery), that he was a better Lord Gryffoyn than the real one could ever be. Mr. Roy also depicts a working class equally complicit in maintaining 'place' and limited social mobility.After watching the single screen version, the three-screen triptych version, as it was released theatrically, is an interesting complement which adds dimension to the story. Mr. Roy's commentary track is illuminating politically, and enlightening cinematically. His film is a very personal work of art. The entire ensemble is outstanding, but the talent and beauty of Matthew Leitch form the solid core on which the story rests.

Figaro14 I (fortunately) viewed this for the first time on the DVD version where the filmmaker chooses to use the triptych effect only once to punctuate a party scene. This is much the same way that this technique was used by the French Impressionist filmmakers of the 1920's. They never filmed entire movies using these kinds of avant-garde techniques. However I understand that those who watched this film in the theater had to endure the triptych effect throughout the entire move. As a reference, the director has included the triptych version on the DVD. The technique wears thin after only a few minutes and makes it impossible to focus on story and character. See this film in its conventional version and I'm certain you will enjoy it.

jalssc Duncan Roy is to commended for such a well done movie, made on what he said was a 'no budget' budget. From an artistic point of view the scenery and location shots are outstanding. He successfully captures the time period of the late 1970's. I was amazed to have learned that the entire movie was shot in five weeks. I can't heap enough praise on the cinematography. Perhaps, the crowning glory of AKA is the soundtrack. The song, "Another Lonely Day" is my absolute favourite, I find myself flipping back to the scene where it appears and replaying it over and over again. AKA needs to release the soundtrack as it is spectacular on its own merit. This brings me to the acting - maybe I am just fond of the level of professionalism of British actors - they did an outstanding job. If you have not rented AKA it is a must rent. It was so good I purchased a copy. I think AKA will soon become a cult standard. This from a fan that just discovered it in the summer of 2005.

DBre104574 What can I say about this movie, it really is one of the worst gay themed movies, ever to come out of the UK. I can only imagine the likes of Diana Quick and Georgina Hale, needed the money. What story there is, is such a rambling mess that you loose interest pretty quickly. It's supposed to be based on real life events. Well, all I can say to that one, is that it's an insult to the real life characters. The DVD is out at the moment in the UK. It's available in either the split screen format, which must make it even worse that the full screen version I watch. Gay cinema can be so much better than this, and we deserve more.