By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Sally Potter
Starring: Bruno Ganz | CherryJones | Cillian Murphy | Emily Moritmer | Kristin Scott Thomas | Patricia Clarkson | Timothy Spall
Country: united_kingdom
Year: 2018
Running time: 71
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5814592/reference
Thom says: “This little seen independent feature is short, sweet, with a shocking ending that can do nothing but please. Of special note here is that this indie stars five must-see actors: Patricia Clarkson, Bruno Ganz, Emily Mortimer, Kristin Scott Thomas, & Cillian Murphy. That’s a real rarity for me so maybe I gave this a big push because of it. Of the other two co-stars I’m not a fan of Timothy Spall but he’s more than adequate here, and Cherry Jones seems to be channeling the character she played in TRANSPARENT, a high-powered lesbian who arrives at the party with her pregnant-with-twins partner (Mortimer). She has played the President in a season of 24 so I expected some variation. Similar clothes, hair-style, mannerisms, the works. The story, which could well be a play, centers around Janet (Scott Thomas) who’s just been announced for a Department Head in the new Government and she’s hosting a party for herself by inviting all her best pals and their hangers-on. Janet’s husband Bill (Spall) announces he’s dying from inoperable cancer and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with Tom’s (Murphy is hilarious as the addled, drug-addicted cuckold) wife (never seen). Janet’s BFF April (a hectic Clarkson) knew nothing of the affair but the gay couple did. While I was fascinated by all the high-power actors bouncing off one another with the affable script I did end up amazed that I thought Ganz scored best as April’s quirky partner Gottfried whom she is constantly berating. But since it was only the outstanding cast that attracted me to the film I only feel fair to admit I’m no fan of Sally Potter at all. While I adored ORLANDO (mostly for Tilda Swinton) every film she’s made since I gave a 1 CAT rating to: RAGE, YES, GINGER& ROSA, THE MAN WHO CRIED, & THE TANGO LESSON. So it’s great to see such huge improvement. 4.5 cats“