Felicia's Journey MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: +2

Seventeen years old and pregnant, Felicia (Elaine Cassidy) travels from her home in Ireland to the United Kingdom to find her boyfriend, the father of her child. She searches all day, looking for the lawnmower factory where he told her he worked. But when things seem to be going nowhere, Joseph Hilditch (Bob Hoskins), a lonely catering manager, offers some help. He gives her directions to possible places she might find her boyfriend and also where to find a place to stay. But his intentions are less than admirable as flashback scenes show Joseph in other, similar situations. Joseph begins to find ways to meet and help Felicia, slowly spinning his web of deceit. And unfortunately, she is completely oblivious to the situation and walks right into his web. FELICIAS JOURNEY is a complex tale that methodically draws viewers in, especially with the brilliant depiction of the disturbed Joseph. But scenes with Joseph are also often funny as the film shows the private side of his life. However, the ending will disappoint audiences expecting something more substantial.

To explain why Joseph could become a disturbed serial killer, the story shows us its roots in his bizarre childhood. In one odd scene, Joseph recalls a play he saw as a boy, which included a scene from the Bible. In it, Herodias mother requests John the Baptists head, which is later brought in on a platter. Felicia is pregnant out of wedlock at the beginning of the film and it becomes clear that the pregnancy carries a lot of consequences. Although she fights the idea for some time, Felicia yields to pressure to get an abortion. But after it happens, she realizes it was a mistake. Felicia is shown remembering when she and her boyfriend had sex, but the activity is only implied. Foul language is surprisingly light with only 2 mild crudities and one mild obscenity. Admirably, the film focuses more on character development rather than showing as much gory and graphic violence as possible. With a caution about questionable scenes, Preview can recommend a trip to see FELICIAS JOURNEY for mature teens and adults.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment, 2700 Colorado Ave., Second Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90404