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Poster for 16 Years of Alcohol

16 Years of Alcohol

Seen it?

2003 | 102 min | Crime, Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
If you count yourself among people who like their stories with a little danger and anyone who loves a strong drama, this one's for you. Plenty of moral grey areas to chew on. Same wavelength as Trainspotting or This Is England.
The mood
Dark and gritty.
The pace
Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 42 min.
What might put you off
Skip it if you like your heroes clean-cut.

16 Years of Alcohol is a 2003 drama film written and directed by Richard Jobson, based on his 1987 novel. The film is Jobson's first directorial effort, following a career as a television presenter on BSkyB and VH-1, and as the vocalist for the 1970s punk rock band The Skids.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 13K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Richard Jobson

  • Kevin McKiddFrankie
  • Laura FraserHelen
  • Susan LynchMary
  • Stuart Sinclair BlythMiller
  • Michael MorelandBudgie
  • Russell AndersonKill
  • Iain De CaesteckerFrankie - Boy
  • Lewis MacleodFrankie's Father
  • Ewen BremnerJake
  • Allison McKenzieDad's Lover