The List: 22 Feb 1991 (25/88)

FILM

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A World Without Pity (15) (Eric Rochant, France, 1990) Hippolyte Giradot, Mireille Perrier, Yvan Attal, Jean Marie Rollin. 88 mins. This is the kind of quirky romantic comedy that only the French can make with any conviction, or, let’s face it, would be interested in making in the first place. Candyfloss, but stylish candylloss, Eric Rochant’s A World Without Pity strolls along its generic path with breezy good humour and a plethora of gags, the film’s sureness of comic touch making up for what it lacks in emotional depth. The narrative takes a traditional course: sleazeball poker-king Hippo (Hyppolyte Girodot more or less playing himself apparently) meets hard-working, square-but-beautiful Nathalie (Mireille Perrier) in the street and falls for her but she plays it cool. Soon he’s following her around in that totally unembarrassed way they like men to do in the movies but which’ll probably get you arrested were you to try it out for yourself off-screen. Finally, they do get it together but true love resolutely fails to run smooth: Hathalie’s work and Hippo’s lack of it tends to make the affair more and more complicated. Distraction is further provided by his drug-dealing little

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brother, whose spotty high school friends soon grow in Hippo's living room like mould, and as our protagonist tries to plumb the depths of despair, the relationship has no recourse but to . . . well, that would be telling.

The film gets its mileage out of the clash between two kinds of life —- Left and Right Bank, tough and comfortable respectively- but the theme is only tenuously and intermittently worked on, leaving behind the central love story to carry much of the impetus. In a strong ensemble production there are nifty performances all round, but particularly endearing is Hippo’s slobby buddy Halpern (Yvan Attal), a Jewish communist who offers the following penetrating analysis of Nathalie: ‘She’s an Eastern European Jew, if they don't work they thinkthey’ll get sent to a camp'. Director Rochant makes full use too of the Paris cityscape, but other than that there’s not a great deal more. Angel Delight rather than candylloss, on second thoughts. (Andrew Pulver)

Glasgow Film Theatre Mon 25 Feb—Sat 2 Mar.

mob have other plans in store for him. Excellent psychological heist movie with Caan convincing as the thief with a heart and a brilliant setpiece robbery sequence. Director Mann went on to create Miami Vice. Edinburgh University Film Society. I Wild Al Heart ( 18) (David Lynch. US. 1990) Nicholas (‘age. Laura Dern. [)iane Ladd. Willem Dafoc. 127 mins. Lynch's much-hyped (‘annes prize-winner turns out to be weird and wondrous in its own way. if not quite as cohesive as the earlier Blue Velvet. (‘age and Dcrn are the energetic young lovers on the run. pursued by ultrastrange hitman Dafoe on a sometimes comic. sometimes disturbing. trail towards the ultimate rendezvous with Elvis and the Wizard of()z. Aside from lovingly detailing the pernicious influence of pop kitsch upon our very consciousness

however. the movie isn't really about anything. even if it is a helluvatrip. (ilasgow: (irosvcnor. ('entral: MacRobert Arts (‘entre. Strathclyde: L'C‘l East Kilbridc Film Society.

I A World Without Pily( 15) (Eric Rochant. France. 1989) l lippolyte (iirardot. Mireille Perrier. Yvan Attal. 88 mins. See review. Glasgow: (EFF.

I The Year My Voice Broke ( 15) (John Duigan. Australia. 1987) Noah Taylor. Loene Carmen. Ben Mendelsohn. 105 mins. Small town boy in 1962 New South Wales grows up to understand his soulless environment through typical teenage disillusionment. But Duigan‘s great strength here is the dark.unpredietable irony which offsets the clichés inherent in adolescence movies. Edinburgh: Film (iuild.

lISTINOS

WEEK ONE

Friday 22—Thursday 28

Readers are advised that programmes may be subject to late change at anytime. [D] indicates that wheelchair access is available, though prior notification is advisable. [E] indicates the availability ofan induction loop, forthe convenience of hearing aid users.

GLASGOW CINEMAS

I CANNON Clarkston Road. Muirend.637 2641. £2.50((‘hild/OAP£1.50).

1. Three Men and a Little Lady (PG) 2.45pm (Sat only). 5.45pm. 8.45pm.

2. Kindergarten Cop ( 12) 2.40pm (Sat only). 5.40pm. 8.40pm.

I CANNON The Forge. Parkhead. 556 4282/4343. [1)]. [E] (screens 1.3 and 5). Shows commencing before 6pm £2: after 6pm £3.20 (Child £2).

1. The Russia House ( 15) 2pm. 5.25pm. 8.25pm. .

2. Three Men and a Little Lady (PG) 1.05pm. 3.55pm. 6.05pm. 8.30pm.

3. Kindergarten Cop (12) 1.15pm.3.45pm. (1. 10pm. 8.40pm.

4. Postcards from the Edge ( 15) 1.20pm. 3.40pm. 6.05pm. 8.35pm.

5. DuckTales (U) 1.20pm. 3.40pm. (1. 10pm (not Tue).

6. Men at W0rlt(12)8.45pm (notTue).

7. Home Alone (PG) 1.25pm. 3.50pm.

6. 15pm. 8.45pm.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) Fri—Sun only 1.15pm.

RockyV(PG) 1.15pm (not Fri—Sun). 3.30pm. (1.05pm. 8.30pm.

The List: 22 Feb 1991 (Issue 142)