Felicia's Journey (1999)

Atom Egoyan's film Felicia's Journey takes various issues into its hands by telling the story of a young Irish girl looking for her Irish boyfriend who joined the British army. Her father strongly disapproves of this relationship and in the end abandons her completely. She goes to England, by herself, relying on the kindness of a middle aged chef Joe,(Bob Hoskins), in order find her boyfriend. Joe's obsession is watching an old show with an eccentric French cook, and copying her complicated recipes. He is slowly unmasked as a serial stalker of vulnerable young women, that were in similar cases of Felicia's.The film is set in a very grim and grey-clouded world where parents systematically abuse, neglect, disown or molest their children, or simply try to control their children like puppets and as a result, they either get killed or become killers. Joe's mother, the French cook, basically failed as a mother by neglecting him and abused him by shoving stuffing in his mouth when he made a mistake while helping her on her TV show. Joe's victims seem to come from all sorts of backgrounds, all with one similarity, they come from a hard family lives. Joe is ultimately a victim like Felicia and all those who have been left to fend for themselves in a harsh and cruel world, which is the sad case of reality in many families around the world.The director does the right thing in concentrating on the character's emotions rather than pull the same old boring thriller/horror situations you find in so many American movies. Many films rely on the action, rather than the humanity of characters, which is why so many of the films nowadays are unfortunately just plain weak.

Joe Hilditch, the head chef for an industrial complex, is a remarkable cook. He runs the kitchen with a sense of propriety, striving to do the best job he can do. At his home, we watch him tuned to a television running black and white tapes following the intricate recipes showcasing Gala, a French cook. The tapes, evidently, are from a somewhat distant past. Joe follows the recipes exactly; he loves eating the creations inspired by Gala.Felicia, a young Irish girl, is seen arriving in England. She is looking for Johnny Lysaght, her boyfriend, that according to her father, has decided to go to England to join the British army, something her old man holds against him because of a natural dislike for anything from the neighbor country. Felicity defies her father to go looking for Johnny. Fate brings Joe and Felicia together in such a strange way, she will be changed forever.In flashbacks from the tapes Joe watches, we realize his relation to the television gourmet cooking lady. Not only that, but Joe is also fond of videotaping young women he becomes in contact with. Felicia, who has no clue as to what is going around her, is oblivious to Joe's real intentions. Sadly, the story turns into something one sees coming, hoping Felicia is spared a terrible end.Atom Egoyan, who adapted the original material, made a wonderful transfer of the novel to the screen. As he accomplished with "The Sweet Hereafter", Mr. Egoyan, shows an affinity to the William Trevor's text in a film that stays in one's memory because of his marvelous take on the characters of the book. He remains true to the original work, expanding it for the big screen in a satisfying film.Bo Hoskins has one of the opportunities of his career impersonating Joe Hilditch. As a matter of fact, the young actor chosen to impersonate the young Joe, bears an uncanny resemblance with the actor. Elaine Cassidy makes a wonderful Felicia, the young woman that does not have any idea of what she is getting into. Arsenee Khanjian, does a tremendous contribution as Gala, the television master cook whose program has been kept for posterity.Atom Egoyan, one of the best Canadian filmmakers gets better with every new project he becomes involved in.

I came to "Felicia's Journey" without advance knowledge of the film. The Verizon FiOS program information describes it simply as, "A young woman leaves rural Ireland to search for the man who got her pregnant." It also listed two cast members: Bob Hoskins and Arsinee Khanjian. FiOS doesn't even mention Elaine Cassidy who does such an outstanding job as the title character, the female lead. The description did not even categorize the film as a drama of comedy.I chose to save this on my DVR because I usually like films that Bob Hoskins agrees to be in. I had not heard of Arsinee Khanjian or her husband, the director Atom Egoyan.I suggest that I was fortunate to not have advance knowledge. Early in the film I realized that Joe Hilditch (Hoskins) was unusual. He seems to run the lunch room of a heavy industry factory, but has the title of "catering manager;" although he is not the head chef of a four star restaurant, he is presented as a culinary expert of great sensitivity. Yet despite his obvious culinary expertise, at home he prepares meals while following along with a TV cooking show. In other words, this is a complex character, someone you are interested in learning more about.That is probably about as much as you should know about this film before you watch it for the first time. Oh, one more thing - it is not a comedy.

Starring Bob Hoskins and Elaine Cassidy, directed by Atom Egoyan. I have yet to see a film by Egoyan I don't like, and this is no exception. They're all moody, tend towards the dark, alienated, and full of unspoken thoughts and emotions. However, this one has a slightly edgier, "David Lynch" sort of feel to it. Things that appear normal, sweet or soft are not so. Motivations are hidden. Actions aren't as linear as they appear. Felicia is a young Irish girl who is pregnant, rejected by her family, and leaves for England to find her so-called "boyfriend who loves her". She meets an older man who offers his help to find the future father… at least it appears so… maybe it IS so. She DOES need help… more and more. This is an evenly paced, slowly swirling story that asks you to watch for subtle changes and hints of things to come. It is part suspense story, and heavy on the psychological drama. Hoskins is gentile, obsessive, anachronistic, and eerie as hell. Cassidy is fragile, pretty, and glowing in honesty.