DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS |
| CREDITS: Director: Richard Spence Cast: Steven MacKintosh, Rupert Graves, Miriam
Margolyes, Saskia Reeves & Ian Dury UK 1996 (15) INTRODUCTION: After 2 years gathering dust on the shelf Spence's unconventional Brit. rom-com receives a limited release courtesy of Blue Dolphin distribution. SYNOPSIS: 15 years after leaving school, old friends Paul Prentis (Graves) and Kim Foyle (MacKintosh) bump into each other, quite literally. An uneasy attraction strikes up, uneasy because last time they met Kim was called Karl. REVIEW: Between them, the creative crew behind the camera on this film, have been responsible for such TV hits as "Common As Muck", "Holding On" and "Starting Over" and they have transferred their mix of social realism and entertaining drama to the big screen. Graves sheds his Merchant Ivory image to put in a stunningly charming performance as cockney wide boy Prentis. While MacKintosh subtly portrays the transsexual lead, a testing part for even the most experienced actor, the nude scene alone (a sort of reverse "Crying Game") would have been enough to put off all but the most dedicated. Stephen Walker and Blake Ritson, put in brilliant performances as the young Karl and Prentice respectively, but they are given far to little screen time to explore these interesting origins as fully as they deserved. Margolyes, Reeves & Dury put in sterling support and watch out for Ed Tudor-Pole and Charles De'Ath in minor roles, if you feel so inclined. Tony Marchant's script plays the situation perfectly, humorous while avoiding descent into farce, realistic without being depressing and moralistic without preaching, all tied up with an uplifting denouement. The story tackles such controversial topics as military machismo and police brutality in subplots while still dealing with the main targets of sexuality, homophobia and equal rights. My only complaint would be the seemingly unnecessary inclusion of the sister sub-plot. This is not her film and hence this sub-plot is never satisfactorily developed and ultimately left hanging. Filmed during the height of the 70's revival, before the up-coming 80's revival (God forbid) was even dreamt up, the film features a thumping Punk soundtrack that compliments Prentice's mood and action perfectly. This is the sort of intimate rom-com that Brits excel at, with the sort of social commentary you would expect from a European film and infused with the slacker ethos found in all the best US indies. A televisual treat that reaches beyond its confines thanks to its big screen release. Mutt's Rating: **** |