My Life so Far

(Miramax)

Hugh Hudson's adaptation of Denis Forman's memoir rechristens Forman as Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman), who grows up in a post-World War I Scottish elysium with his grandmother (Rosemary Harris), his mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and his beloved eccentric father (Colin Firth). Then Fraser's dapper millionaire uncle (Malcolm McDowell) shows up with his young French bride (Irene Jacob). Ostensibly told from Fraser's point of view, this morality tale of desire, propriety, covetousness, and hypocrisy is most telling when Hudson keeps it at a distance, allowing Norman's carrot-topped curiosity and insouciance to take charge.