Twenty-One (1991 film)

Twenty-One
Twenty-One
	Promotional poster
Directed by	Don Boyd
Written by	Don Boyd; Zoë Heller
Produced by	John Hardy; Morgan Mason
Starring	Patsy Kensit;
Cinematography	Keith Goddard
Edited by	David Spiers
Music by	Michael Berkeley
Release dates	4 October 1991 (US); 1 November 1991 (UK);
Running time	92 minutes
Countries	United Kingdom; United States
Language	English
Budget	£810,000

Twenty-One is a British-American drama film directed by Don Boyd and co-scripted by him with Zoë Heller. Patsy Kensit stars as the 21-year-old protagonist. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in February 1991.^[2] It was released theatrically later that year in the United States on 4 October, followed by a British release on 1 November.

Premise[]

Katie confides directly to the camera about her troubled existence. She reflects on characters we meet during the film, such as her drug-addicted boyfriend, and dysfunctional family members.^[2]

Cast[]

Patsy Kensit as Katie
Jack Shepherd as Kenneth
Patrick Ryecart as Jack
Maynard Eziashi as Baldie
Rufus Sewell as Bobby
Sophie Thompson as Francesca
Susan Wooldridge as Janet
Robert Bathurst as Mr. Metcalfe

Reception[]

The film received a rapturous response upon its premiere at Sundance.^[3]

Patsy Kensit is a standout as Katie, bringing an enormous amount of charisma, warmth, and humor to her role, and supported by an elegant script. Director Don Boyd, best known as the producer of Aria, blends the performances, story and the integral cinematic device of Katie's direct camera narration with exceptional dexterity. Thus he never misses an opportunity to communicate Katie's feelings through pure technique. Katie views the future with optimistic uncertainty, convinced she can win over the world. With its warmth and wit, Twenty-One is prepared to accomplish the same goal.

Reception in Paris was also enthusiastic but UK press reviews were mixed despite Kensit receiving raves for her performance.^[2]