The War Zone

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The War Zone ★★ 1998 (R)

Harrowing and uncompromising look at a working class British family torn apart by incest and abuse. Dad (Winstone) has just moved the family to a small Devon town—a move resented by his children, 18-year-old Jessie (Belmont) and 15-year-old Tom (Cunliffe). Mum (Swinton) is too busy with a new baby to see what's going on but lonely Tom gradually (and later graphically) becomes aware that something not right is happening between Jessie and their father. Roth's disquieting directing debut; based on Stuart's novel. 98m/C VHS, DVD . GB Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Lara Belmont, Freddie Cunliffe, Aisling O'Sullivan, Colin Farrell, Annabelle Apsion, Kate Ashfield; D: Tim Roth; W: Alexander Stuart; C: Seamus McGarvey; M: Simon Boswell.