Clay (2008 TV Movie) User Reviews

Annoying

[Mehki_Girl · 5/10 · 16 September 2022]

I did watch this all the way through. I think I tried to some time in the past and gave up out of bordem.

Not one likeable character. I found the accents and phrasing annoying.

I found both protagonists to be annoying, especially the little cruel sociopathic manipulator. I found the ease in which he manipulated the guillible follower to be annoying.

I found the ease of belief in magic within and without the church to be annoying.

What was the point? The goal? Damned if I know!

The monster was kinda awesome though.

Someone said, what Catholic claptrap. As a non-believer, I agree.

Since this was based on a book, I'm assuming the story is semi- autobiographical.

An hour in and nothing happens

[bregund · 3/10 · 10 September 2022]

You'll spend most of your time waiting for something to happen, the characters just stand around talking. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Imelda Staunton overacts. She might have been good in Harry Potter and The Crown but she's pushing way too hard in this film. The character development is achingly slow. I have a hunch that the book presented its themes better than this film did, which requires you to connect the dots without giving you all the dots. There's a town bully, a thirty-year-old man with a pompadour, although it's never exactly clear why he's the bully and why he chooses to bully kids. Is there any particular reason why this film is set in the 60s?

Story Looked Intriguing

[ToHelenBackAgain · 2/10 · 14 August 2022]

Unfortunately, the constant quick cuts rendered this unwatchable for me. If you don't get motion sickness, migraines, or seizures, and nothing ever makes you dizzy, you might be all right with it. I mean, it's REALLY constant and they're REALLY fast.

I'm truly disappointed. I love the premise and wanted to watch this movie.

unexpected delight - brilliant!!!

[stevevolk · 10/10 · 17 April 2008]

I caught this drama unexpectedly, I think on Sunday afternoon, on TV over Easter. I was bowled over by the quality of the story and atmosphere, as well as the young performances, and wondered why it hadn't had more publicity raving about it, and why it appeared to be hidden away in the schedules. It shouldn't have been! CLAY was wonderfully evocative of both Frankenstein and Jewish legend of The Golem of Prague, yet never fell back on the tired "with one bound" dramatic cheats that afflict other TV fantasy shows (e.g. Doctor Who!). It also had a Biblical subtext that was never explicit. I don't know the book it was based upon, but I look forward to more work from the screenwriter, and the director.

Not my cup of tea

[Pegasus-10 · 2/10 · 7 November 2020]

Not familiar with the book, but didn't enjoy this, despite the casting of Imelda Staunton (in a strange role). I'm probably missing some deep message but I didn't feel like trying to really figure our what was going on. Too much Catholic claptrap, too.

Expertly done

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 6 January 2021]

The mid-1960's. 14-year-old alter boy Davie Hagen (a fine and credible performance by Harry McEntire) befriends the mysterious, but charismatic Stephen Rose (well played with magnetic aplomb by Ben-Ryan Davies). Stephen convinces Davie to help him build a man out of clay that turns out to be more powerful and dangerous than Davie expected him to be.

Director Andrew Gunn relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, offers a flavorsome evocation of both the 60's period setting and repressive mores of that particular era, adroitly crafts a brooding intense atmosphere, and brings a dark fairytale quality to the proceedings that's utterly enthralling throughout. Moreover, Gunn and writer Peter Tabern not only astutely capture the special and magical secret world of the young protagonists, but also deliver a fresh and inspired Irish Catholic spin on the golem premise. The excellent acting from the tip-top cast helps a lot: Niek Versteeg as loyal friend Geordie, Imelda Staunton as the dotty Mary Doonan, Sacha Parkinson as the sweet Maria, Darren Howie as brutish local bully Martin Mould, and Ian McElhinney as the friendly Father O'Mahoney. Highly recommended.

Good and evil in a teenage world

[Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews · 4/10 · 21 October 2022]

An interesting social commentary touching down in many facets of life. Definitely has the feel of a made for TV movie, I would say mainly apparent in the score for whatever reason. The story was decent and relatively engaging, but the movie as a whole could have picked up its pace and added a little more meat to its bones.

Also, there is always something to be said for an open ending and not everything being spoon fed and tied up in a neat little bow... however I feel this one could have maybe used a tad more explaination/closure? The acting was surprisingly good for a made for TV movie. The lead boy did quite a good job and there were some familiar faces that you expect a good performance from.

Overall it was decently enjoyable, would recommend for a younger audience.