Every now and then a small film comes along and makes a big impact and I felt this was such a film. Its stars Alec Newman ('A Lonely Place to die') as Mal; he is a British Army veteran of Afghanistan where he lost sight in both eyes. He is living in a sink hole estate in London and his only friend is his guide dog – Quince.
Then one day Quince runs off or rather he does not bring his ball back and Mal is left lost in a dark World. So he decides to find his dog which means entering the Greyhawk estate and facing up to all it has to offer. He is also disillusioned with the World and has an attitude that us designed to lose and not win friends.
As I said this is a remarkable film and Alec Newman's performance as the blind soldier is brilliant. There is a part role for Jack Shepherd too and he is always good value. Zoe Telford puts in a great performance as the mother with a heart who has given up on her dreams.
This story touches on many issues and does so in a very real and human way. It is one where you never even glance at your watch it is that engrossing – completely recommended.
Greyhawk
2014
Action / Drama
Greyhawk
2014
Action / Drama
Keywords: doggangblindveterancouncil estate
Plot summary
Mal Walker, a reclusive, disillusioned army veteran, is prompted into action when his only friend goes missing on a down-at-heel council estate called Greyhawk. But as he journeys on his urban quest - encountering a succession of the estate's oddball characters - Mal begins to learn it is not just his friend he's looking for. It is his own humanity.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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Great Indie Film of a Blind Man's quest.
A two hour film about a man looking for his dog.
I don't wish to sound flippant - and I am sure that on some level this film tries to comment about society and it's treatment of those with disabilities and/or ex-service personnel - but it basically is a 2 hour film about a man looking for a dog. If you want to spend 2 hours watching a blind man looking for a guide dog then this is for you, if not then this may not be your film. The main character is a little two dimensional to evoke the empathy required to carry off such a simple plot line. Not for me.
How one man copes with an unimaginable situation
'Greyhawk' has Alec Newman (lately seen in the BBC's 'Waterloo Road') as Mal, a blinded ex-soldier. A walking attitude, he drinks in the pub where a well-meaning elderly man (Jack Shepherd, 'Wycliffe') bores him; he pays for a prostitute; he has to cope with bullying local youths. Through all this his constant companion is his guide dog, a labrador called Quince. But one day, while Mal is throwing a ball for Quince on the socially-deprived Greyhawk council estate, the dog doesn't come back.
I decided to watch this film because the situation sounded so desperate: a blind man having to search for his guide dog. How would I cope in such a situation? I hope I'd realise that people are more willing to help if you treat them with respect; Mal just goes around grousing at everyone - okay, he has reason to, but it doesn't make him a very sympathetic hero. Newman is sighted, and perhaps the film would have had more resonance with a blind actor in the lead role, although I can appreciate the logistical difficulties that may have caused. As it is, with attacks on guide dogs being increasingly reported in the UK, the film is at least very timely.