My Old School: a movie review by Alex First
The true tale of 16-year-old Scott Brandon Lee (not the actor son of Bruce Lee) is remarkable.
Directed by Lee’s former classmate Jono McLeod, the way his story unfolds is mind blowing.
McLeod interviews former classmates and teachers from Bearsden Academy, located in a well-to-do suburb of Glasgow, where Lee went to school in 1993.
Lee himself did not agree to appear in the documentary, rather actor Alan Cumming lip syncs an audio interview McLeod conducted with Lee and he’s phenomenal.
He morphs into Lee, perfecting facial expressions and tone – nothing forced.
My Old School intersperses interviews with historic footage and compelling animated sequences.
The animation director is Rory Lowe, while Scott Morriss was the lead animator.
The soundtrack to the era, too, is pitch perfect.
The full story is one that gripped Scotland … and McLeod’s endeavours in bringing it to life certainly had me absorbed throughout
As the events were unravelling, I kept thinking I must encourage everyone to see this amazing doco, which has incredulity at its core.
I just kept thinking “wow” – truth is stranger than fiction.
Lee, who claims he has a massive IQ, had his sights set on a career in medicine.
After a nomadic existence, which started with private tuition in Canada with his touring opera singer mother, tragedy befell the family.
Lee entered Bearsden Academy at the equivalent of year 11.
He looked older than the other kids in his class and tried to keep to himself.
But gradually his fellow students warmed to him and he befriended a number of them.
His profile grew and he became a straight “A” pupil who appeared to be going places.
But that was only a small part of the life and times of Brandon Lee.
For fear of spoiling the surprise, I dare say no more.
The interviews are revelatory, helping to paint the astounding complete picture.
The former students and teachers don’t hold back on their recollections and opinions, which come across as genuine and engaging.
My Old School is a twisted tale in more ways than one.
There is shock after surprise after shock.
I couldn’t get enough of it.
My Old School (M) – 105 minutes
