Irina Palm

Bea says...
Seen in Strasbourg, France, neither Cecil or myself had ever heard of this film, despite it being set in the UK, with a mainly UK cast. Marianne Faithful plays the lead role of Irina Palm, alias Maggie, a middle aged, widowed housewife who raises the money for a life-saving operation for her grandson by getting a job as a "hostess" in a Soho nightclub. Despite this rather cliched plot, Maggie's transformation from someone "not the least bit interesting", who "doesn't do anything", to someone famed in certain circles for the softness of her hands and her "delicate touch" - someone who does indeed "do something" - is very engaging. The dialogue is well crafted and understated, and well supported by the frugality of the sets and cinematography, leaving the simpleness of the story to shine.
****

Cecil says...
Do men really queue up for these services? I mean, I have never ever seen a queue outside one of those joints in Soho. And how do they make so much money when the men are putting a coin (ie max £2) into a slot for the services rendered? Anyway, apart from these reality checks, a gripping film (!!) and definitely recommended if it ever hits UK cinemas - or go to France and see it now...
****