Resident Alien

In a rude, harsh world, it is hard to overrate the value of someone as witty, generous, kind and genteel as the beloved, late Quentin Crisp. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for this movie. If you were lucky enough to spend time with him or see his one-man show, which he started around age 70 and was filmed in 1979, you will already have gained more than "Resident Alien" has to offer. The movie opens with thrilling, teasingly macabre music and visuals, but from then on, it falls somewhat flat. Too much of it focuses on his commentators - and the director repeats some shots as if he thought repetition would work for him just because it worked for Mr. Crisp. Fran Lebowitz is never to be missed, but for newcomers to Crisperanto, there is not quite enough of the man himself and his speeches to make them fall in love as I did long before the movie. >