47 reviews
Marianne Faithful stars as a grandmother desperate to provide a rare and expensive medical treatment for her cancer-stricken grandson, in any way possible. She tries every other avenue before settling, reluctantly, on sex work.
The synopsis just doesn't do justice to the movie; my expectations were low, but the film really delivers. From the reactions of her friends and family to the pride she begins to take in her job, this movie has a wealth of subtle and not-so-subtle points to make. The one thing I noted was that there is no way, in the context of the film, to condemn her character for what she is doing. She simply has to reach her goal, and nothing is going to stop her. That kind of dedication is rare and touching.
The best scenes were the grandmother's relations with the club owner and other workers. She holds her own and maintains her dignity despite the circumstances she finds herself in. There aren't any crude jokes, despite the material, but there are rare moments of humor.
Watch this if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.
The synopsis just doesn't do justice to the movie; my expectations were low, but the film really delivers. From the reactions of her friends and family to the pride she begins to take in her job, this movie has a wealth of subtle and not-so-subtle points to make. The one thing I noted was that there is no way, in the context of the film, to condemn her character for what she is doing. She simply has to reach her goal, and nothing is going to stop her. That kind of dedication is rare and touching.
The best scenes were the grandmother's relations with the club owner and other workers. She holds her own and maintains her dignity despite the circumstances she finds herself in. There aren't any crude jokes, despite the material, but there are rare moments of humor.
Watch this if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.
When I saw the trailers it looked like a European film and settings, but luckily this movie was in English directed by a German born Belgium director Sam Garbarski.
The story is in a small village near London about a widowed grand-mother Maggie (Marianne Faithful), whose grand son has to undergo treatment in Australia. She has a son Tom (Kevin Bishop) and daughter in law Sarah (Siobhan Hewlett) who can not earn that much to afford the trip to Australia. Maggie loves the grandson a lot but does not have any skills to do work she has never worked in her entire life. After being rejected at many places, in search of work she lands up in the Soho area (red light district of London) in Mikky's (Miki Manojlovic) sex club / restaurant. Very shy and hesitant she agrees to the work of masturbating men for a decent sum of Pounds 900 per week. Within no time she becomes the famous Irina Palm (pseudo name) for her skills. Maggie finds a new confidence and self-independence through this new role which she never thought would become her respected profession. She borrows money from Miki and gives to her son, who becomes suspicious and when he follows her and knows about her new profession and is deeply hurt. He wants her to take the money back and leave the dirty profession.
The movie is about the journey through the mind of Maggie. Her hesitations, her doubts, her fears, her joy, her confidence, her love, and her grandiose everything is perfect.
Marianne Faithful who started her career as a singer, and later got involved in film acting looks beautiful (just google her name and see how beautiful she was in her young days) and has acted honorably in portraying the character of Maggie to its core. She speaks more in her silences, stares and glances than with words. She was the perfect casting by the Director Sam. A special mention of veteran actor Miki Manojlovic who has played the dark character of Mikky with so much punch and humanness that it is remarkable and not easy to forget. Both Marianne and Miki sparkles the screen with their historic.
A very well directed film by Sam this is just his fifth directional project. He has also co-written the script with Philip Blasband. Cinematography by Christophe Beacarne is wonderful in capturing the life of a small British village to the dark and dingy streets and hotels of Soho especially the beginning shot of the village through bird's view and hand held shots of dark back alleys of Soho.
At one point in the movie when Maggie is forced by her son to leave the work, I was longing for Marianne to go back to her profession because that had brought her self- dignity and self-esteem. But I will not say the ending and spoil of interest.
A very good sensitive movie! (Stars 7.5 out of 10)
The story is in a small village near London about a widowed grand-mother Maggie (Marianne Faithful), whose grand son has to undergo treatment in Australia. She has a son Tom (Kevin Bishop) and daughter in law Sarah (Siobhan Hewlett) who can not earn that much to afford the trip to Australia. Maggie loves the grandson a lot but does not have any skills to do work she has never worked in her entire life. After being rejected at many places, in search of work she lands up in the Soho area (red light district of London) in Mikky's (Miki Manojlovic) sex club / restaurant. Very shy and hesitant she agrees to the work of masturbating men for a decent sum of Pounds 900 per week. Within no time she becomes the famous Irina Palm (pseudo name) for her skills. Maggie finds a new confidence and self-independence through this new role which she never thought would become her respected profession. She borrows money from Miki and gives to her son, who becomes suspicious and when he follows her and knows about her new profession and is deeply hurt. He wants her to take the money back and leave the dirty profession.
The movie is about the journey through the mind of Maggie. Her hesitations, her doubts, her fears, her joy, her confidence, her love, and her grandiose everything is perfect.
Marianne Faithful who started her career as a singer, and later got involved in film acting looks beautiful (just google her name and see how beautiful she was in her young days) and has acted honorably in portraying the character of Maggie to its core. She speaks more in her silences, stares and glances than with words. She was the perfect casting by the Director Sam. A special mention of veteran actor Miki Manojlovic who has played the dark character of Mikky with so much punch and humanness that it is remarkable and not easy to forget. Both Marianne and Miki sparkles the screen with their historic.
A very well directed film by Sam this is just his fifth directional project. He has also co-written the script with Philip Blasband. Cinematography by Christophe Beacarne is wonderful in capturing the life of a small British village to the dark and dingy streets and hotels of Soho especially the beginning shot of the village through bird's view and hand held shots of dark back alleys of Soho.
At one point in the movie when Maggie is forced by her son to leave the work, I was longing for Marianne to go back to her profession because that had brought her self- dignity and self-esteem. But I will not say the ending and spoil of interest.
A very good sensitive movie! (Stars 7.5 out of 10)
Marianne Faithful has an emotional magnet, a stillness/quietness that makes her performance, as well as the film totally, centered on this intriguing and unique character; Miki Manojlovic too, as the nightclub owner, provides a wonderful and a smooth performance; Dorka Gryllus is also remarkable in her small but important role as Maggie's colleague. The story's concept is not completely brand new (desperate character doing desperate things to make money for life saving) but it has been refreshed and it finally proved involving and engaging. Of course it's a very improbable story, but I found very convincing the portrayal of a woman uncomfortable in her own skin and overall uncomfortable with other peoples. There are some scenes blending humor and surprise, rendered in a very poignant way and the tone is always appropriate.
- antoniotierno
- Feb 21, 2008
- Permalink
- fertilecelluloid
- Apr 2, 2008
- Permalink
Irina Palm is one of those quirky off-beat Brit flicks that you come across every now and again. Based around the life of a middle aged Maggie, widowed, one son and a grandchild dying of a rare illness. Maggie needs a lot of money to pay for the treatment the boy needs, which can only be found in Australia. However, as widow whose main employment seems to have been as a lady who lunches, her work skills are rather non-existent. Also having sold of the family silver and home some time previously there is very little in the kitty to pay for the treatment he needs. However, she eventually finds salvation in the sex trade as an unlikely sex worker however a rather talented one at that. Finding her niche in hand jobs (to be polite) she sets about becoming the best in London and the target of headhunters (or hand-hunters in this case) What I really enjoyed is the sheer brilliant humanity that Ms Faithful brought to the screen as she realizes that there are real people who work the industry, real that is with families, and homes of their own Special mention must go to Miki Manojlovic and Jenny Agutter for two of the best scenes in the film. All in all a well worth the trip out but as its now playing at Art house cinemas might be a little bit tricky to find.
- roblynmouth
- Dec 25, 2007
- Permalink
Every now and then a remarkable small film is made. The recent "Venus" starring Peter O'Toole is one. Irina Palm is also one.
This is a story of a middle-aged woman (Maggie, played by Marianne Faithful) worn down by sadness. She must get hold of a substantial amount of money. Forced by necessity and desperation Maggie does something that is at first utterly alien to her, but may yet become an awakening and salvation, a route to an identity she does not know she has and to new love.
Marianne Faithful's central performance is hugely affecting in its undecorated stillness and simplicity. This film is a cut above so many bigger releases. If you like a small story well-told it is for you.
This is a story of a middle-aged woman (Maggie, played by Marianne Faithful) worn down by sadness. She must get hold of a substantial amount of money. Forced by necessity and desperation Maggie does something that is at first utterly alien to her, but may yet become an awakening and salvation, a route to an identity she does not know she has and to new love.
Marianne Faithful's central performance is hugely affecting in its undecorated stillness and simplicity. This film is a cut above so many bigger releases. If you like a small story well-told it is for you.
- paulbakalite
- Nov 16, 2007
- Permalink
It's easy to see why many male critics might dislike this odd and quirky slice of seedy realism--mixed with an unlikely romance--simply because most of the men in the film are portrayed as emotional basket cases, while the lead, compellingly played by Marianne Faithful, evolves into a full-fledged character who sacrifices her own well-being for that of her grandchild, and ignores the social rules by which everyone is supposed to play. This will probably be the only semi-mainstream film ever released that deals with an unemployed grandmother who decides to work giving pleasure with her palms (hence the coy name) in a Soho sex club--and doing so with a combination of wit, odd charm, and a good deal of family drama--and there's even a little romance kindled for the old gal. If you set aside the usual middle-class horrors concerning those who choose to live outside the box, this film can be a good deal of fun--strange, but point well-taken!
- museumofdave
- Mar 2, 2013
- Permalink
I watched this movie in the preview in my university. I must admit that when my friend told me what it was about I thought it would be one of those dull good-intentioned but poorly made movie. I was wrong.
This movie is powerful and transmits a lot. Doesn't pretend to feel pity, and even though the beginning might be even considered dramatic, it made me laugh out loud several times.
It's the first review I write, but I definitely thought I should drop a line to defend this beautiful story that talks about what can a person do for a loved one, about re-discovering yourself, about avoiding stupid dogmas... And at the end it leaves you with a broad smile and a sense of tenderness that not so commonly a movie inflicts you.
If you like beautiful stories, this is your movie.
This movie is powerful and transmits a lot. Doesn't pretend to feel pity, and even though the beginning might be even considered dramatic, it made me laugh out loud several times.
It's the first review I write, but I definitely thought I should drop a line to defend this beautiful story that talks about what can a person do for a loved one, about re-discovering yourself, about avoiding stupid dogmas... And at the end it leaves you with a broad smile and a sense of tenderness that not so commonly a movie inflicts you.
If you like beautiful stories, this is your movie.
- martinvives
- Dec 12, 2007
- Permalink
- Galina_movie_fan
- Feb 18, 2017
- Permalink
IRINA PALM may be a film too many people will overlook, thinking it either empty headed or pornographic. But word of mouth should correct those misconceptions, as this little quiet film is a tender story of an aging woman's sacrifices and healthy outlook in the face of adversity. IRINA PALM is that happy marriage of comedy and drama, a heartwarming tale that leaves the viewer with both a smile and a tear.
Written by Director Sam Garbarski with Martin Herron and Phillipe Blasband, IRINA PALM is the story of a widowed grandmother Maggie (Marianne Faithful in a luminous performance) whose young grandson Ollie (Corey Burke) is gravely ill. Maggie's son Tom (Kevin Bishop) and daughter-in-law Sarah (Siobhan Hewlett) cannot afford the transfer from England to Australia where the young lad could undergo curative treatment. Maggie decides she must find a job - a daunting task for an older woman with no particular job training - to make the treatment affordable. After numerous rejections from employment agencies, she spies a Sex Shop advertising for 'hostesses'. Thinking that designation means serving tea, etc, she enters the shady establishment and is interviewed by the owner Miki (Miki Manojlovic), a gentle man who gently describes the type of employment: Maggie would sit in a room and provide simple masturbation through a glory hole for anonymous clients. At first shocked by the job description, she in desperation investigates the business with the help of her soon to be best friend Luisa (Dorka Gryllus), and accepts the job with reservations. To her surprise (and the surprise of Miki and Luisa) Maggie gains a loyal following of customers, so much so that she is given the name 'Irina Palm'.
Keeping her employment a secret from everyone, she is the brunt of gossip from her old cronies and when she gives the money from her job to her son Tom without revealing its source, she causes a riff in the family. Maggie is courted by other sex shop owners who offer higher pay, but she remains faithful to Miki who advanced her the money for Ollie's trip to Australia. Tom stalks his mother to her workplace, discovers the source of her income, and explodes with anger and embarrassment that his mother would stoop to such depths. But Maggie's role as Irina Palm has given her confidence and also opened her heart not only to her grandson's future but to her own happiness as well. The ending may be expected by some, but will warm the hearts of everyone.
There are many moments of humor - Maggie's learning her trade, her ultimate confession to her cronies as to her occupation, etc - and this lightness makes the dramatic message more powerful. Faithful is extraordinarily fine in this difficult role, but the entire cast is sensitively responsive to the screenplay and to director Garbarski's vision. This is a film to cherish. Highly recommended. Grady Harp
Written by Director Sam Garbarski with Martin Herron and Phillipe Blasband, IRINA PALM is the story of a widowed grandmother Maggie (Marianne Faithful in a luminous performance) whose young grandson Ollie (Corey Burke) is gravely ill. Maggie's son Tom (Kevin Bishop) and daughter-in-law Sarah (Siobhan Hewlett) cannot afford the transfer from England to Australia where the young lad could undergo curative treatment. Maggie decides she must find a job - a daunting task for an older woman with no particular job training - to make the treatment affordable. After numerous rejections from employment agencies, she spies a Sex Shop advertising for 'hostesses'. Thinking that designation means serving tea, etc, she enters the shady establishment and is interviewed by the owner Miki (Miki Manojlovic), a gentle man who gently describes the type of employment: Maggie would sit in a room and provide simple masturbation through a glory hole for anonymous clients. At first shocked by the job description, she in desperation investigates the business with the help of her soon to be best friend Luisa (Dorka Gryllus), and accepts the job with reservations. To her surprise (and the surprise of Miki and Luisa) Maggie gains a loyal following of customers, so much so that she is given the name 'Irina Palm'.
Keeping her employment a secret from everyone, she is the brunt of gossip from her old cronies and when she gives the money from her job to her son Tom without revealing its source, she causes a riff in the family. Maggie is courted by other sex shop owners who offer higher pay, but she remains faithful to Miki who advanced her the money for Ollie's trip to Australia. Tom stalks his mother to her workplace, discovers the source of her income, and explodes with anger and embarrassment that his mother would stoop to such depths. But Maggie's role as Irina Palm has given her confidence and also opened her heart not only to her grandson's future but to her own happiness as well. The ending may be expected by some, but will warm the hearts of everyone.
There are many moments of humor - Maggie's learning her trade, her ultimate confession to her cronies as to her occupation, etc - and this lightness makes the dramatic message more powerful. Faithful is extraordinarily fine in this difficult role, but the entire cast is sensitively responsive to the screenplay and to director Garbarski's vision. This is a film to cherish. Highly recommended. Grady Harp
- johnpetersca
- Apr 22, 2008
- Permalink
When I saw the trailer of the movie I wanted to watch it. The idea, the setting sounded interesting. But when I watched it, it felt that there was not much more in it than I had already seen in the trailer. Probably a person who is more shocked by the idea that someone is working in the sex business can appreciate it more fully. The film has its moments, but it has much more lengths. To me the reaction of her son to what she had done to save the live of his own son was a bit over the top. The other characters are developed rather nicely. But there was not enough density for a full length feature movie. In the sex club where she is working they seem to have only one song playing over and over again. And that is systematic for the movie. There is not enough change in it to get me hooked.
Desperate to earn money so her critically ill grandson can have a much-needed operation, a modest and reserved middle-aged widow finds a job "pleasuring" men through a hole in the wall of a sleazy London strip joint. Before you know it, Maggie is doing quite the little business (years of not doing manual labor have apparently paid off), with a steady stream of satisfied customers queuing up outside her cubicle, and a boss more than satisfied with the money she's bringing in. She's even adopted a stage name, Irina Palm, renowned for having the "smoothest" hand in the business. But hiding the truth from her son and daughter-in-law and her snooty, gossipy friends becomes a daily challenge for Maggie as she debases herself for a noble cause.
Despite its rather - um, shall we say "touchy" subject matter - "Irina Palm" is a warm human drama about a woman willing to go to any lengths to help a person she loves. But that's only the glass-half-empty aspect of the story for, in a bizarre sort of way, this turns out to be one of the best things that's ever happened to Maggie. Indeed, her willingness to meet life on its own terms - then, eventually, her own - opens up whole new possibilities for Maggie as an individual, possibilities that have hitherto remained unrealized due to the various social roles and conduct restrictions that have been imposed upon her throughout the course of her life. Her new job gives her a type of freedom she's never had before, simply because it is she and she alone who is now determining what course that life will take.
"Irina Palm" may make some in the audience squirm at times, but the sheer preposterousness of what Maggie is being called upon to do in the name of money, and the empathy generated by famed singer Marianne Faithful's beautifully understated and heartfelt performance purge the film of any taint of luridness it might otherwise have had. There's actually quite a bit of humor here as well, as Maggie begins by swallowing her pride - then finding a pride of her own in a job well done, much to the consternation of the sanctimonious prigs who surround her. Yet, as directed and co-written by Sam Garbarski, "Irina Palm" makes it a point to be fair to its characters. This is particularly the case with Miklos, Maggie's boss (wonderfully played by Miki Manojlovic), who could easily have been portrayed as an irredeemable lout but who instead comes across as a shrewd but not unreasonable businessman with issues of his own to deal with and a spiritual connection with this strange woman who overturns not only his establishment but his heart. And fine performances by Kevin Bishop, Siobhan Hewlett, Corey Burke and Jenny Agutter ("An American Werewolf in London") add to the emotional richness of the piece.
This is a surprisingly tender and touching film that will have you rooting for the middle-aged widow with the magic hand almost in spite of yourself.
Despite its rather - um, shall we say "touchy" subject matter - "Irina Palm" is a warm human drama about a woman willing to go to any lengths to help a person she loves. But that's only the glass-half-empty aspect of the story for, in a bizarre sort of way, this turns out to be one of the best things that's ever happened to Maggie. Indeed, her willingness to meet life on its own terms - then, eventually, her own - opens up whole new possibilities for Maggie as an individual, possibilities that have hitherto remained unrealized due to the various social roles and conduct restrictions that have been imposed upon her throughout the course of her life. Her new job gives her a type of freedom she's never had before, simply because it is she and she alone who is now determining what course that life will take.
"Irina Palm" may make some in the audience squirm at times, but the sheer preposterousness of what Maggie is being called upon to do in the name of money, and the empathy generated by famed singer Marianne Faithful's beautifully understated and heartfelt performance purge the film of any taint of luridness it might otherwise have had. There's actually quite a bit of humor here as well, as Maggie begins by swallowing her pride - then finding a pride of her own in a job well done, much to the consternation of the sanctimonious prigs who surround her. Yet, as directed and co-written by Sam Garbarski, "Irina Palm" makes it a point to be fair to its characters. This is particularly the case with Miklos, Maggie's boss (wonderfully played by Miki Manojlovic), who could easily have been portrayed as an irredeemable lout but who instead comes across as a shrewd but not unreasonable businessman with issues of his own to deal with and a spiritual connection with this strange woman who overturns not only his establishment but his heart. And fine performances by Kevin Bishop, Siobhan Hewlett, Corey Burke and Jenny Agutter ("An American Werewolf in London") add to the emotional richness of the piece.
This is a surprisingly tender and touching film that will have you rooting for the middle-aged widow with the magic hand almost in spite of yourself.
It seems Belgian director Sam Garbarski didn't set out to make an English movie (the script was originally written by Phillipe Blasband in French) but even with a diverse cast and continental locations he has produced one. Marianne Faithful's performance as the slightly out of it middle aged widow who becomes a hand job operative in a Soho sex shop to earn money for her sick grandson's operation is wonderfully judged. She has to do this in secret, of course, under the nom de hand "Irina Palm" for this is England and she would suffer terminal embarrassment were her family or friends to find out what she is up to. In France, on the other hand, it might not matter so much.
Despite the sordid nature of "Irina's" fund raising efforts, this is a comedy-drama, not soft porn and the exposition is tastefully done no graphic images are employed. The other main performances fit the fairly gentle tone, even the veteran Serbian actor Miki Manjlovic as the sex shop owner. The plot, as the makers admit, is a bit of a fairy tale, but satisfying nevertheless, and we can't help wishing "Irina" as well. I did wonder about her customers though. Paying for sex is at bottom, so to speak, pretty pathetic, even for someone with Erina's professional skill, and the film makes little attempt to look at the situation from the customer's viewpoint, though we do get the impression the customers are satisfied. Weirdly, Marianne Faithful is descended from the Sacher-Masoch family, but her character does not dish out pain here. A small film but pleasant and entertaining.
Despite the sordid nature of "Irina's" fund raising efforts, this is a comedy-drama, not soft porn and the exposition is tastefully done no graphic images are employed. The other main performances fit the fairly gentle tone, even the veteran Serbian actor Miki Manjlovic as the sex shop owner. The plot, as the makers admit, is a bit of a fairy tale, but satisfying nevertheless, and we can't help wishing "Irina" as well. I did wonder about her customers though. Paying for sex is at bottom, so to speak, pretty pathetic, even for someone with Erina's professional skill, and the film makes little attempt to look at the situation from the customer's viewpoint, though we do get the impression the customers are satisfied. Weirdly, Marianne Faithful is descended from the Sacher-Masoch family, but her character does not dish out pain here. A small film but pleasant and entertaining.
Maggie is a widow in her fifties living in a small English village outside of London. She has spent her life in a humdrum manner taking care of her family. Her grandson is very ill and in the hospital. His only chance of survival is surgery in Australia. The medical expenses will be paid by the health care system, but the transportation, etc. must be provided by the family.
Maggie does not have the money, and her son has been out of work for almost a year. Maggie is determined to get the money and goes off to London in a quest of employment of any sort. She is greeted with disdain by potential employers and employment agencies as she is an unremarkable woman with no experience or talent.
In an act of final desperation, Maggie enters a sex shop on a seedy street in London advertising help wanted. It is here that Maggie finds she has a talent much sought after by the clientèle of the shop. She is given the professional name of Irina Palm by her boss, Miki.
It should be obvious that there are going to be sizable repercussions from a modest widow so radically expanding her range of experience, and there are.
Marianne Faithful and Yugoslavian actor Miki Manojlovic are extremely effective as Maggie and Miki - two people who, despite their ages, are able to learn and develop from their experiences.
You'll find that Irina Palm is a very slow moving film but one that offers a very different view of human nature. It is an intriguing slice of life.
Maggie does not have the money, and her son has been out of work for almost a year. Maggie is determined to get the money and goes off to London in a quest of employment of any sort. She is greeted with disdain by potential employers and employment agencies as she is an unremarkable woman with no experience or talent.
In an act of final desperation, Maggie enters a sex shop on a seedy street in London advertising help wanted. It is here that Maggie finds she has a talent much sought after by the clientèle of the shop. She is given the professional name of Irina Palm by her boss, Miki.
It should be obvious that there are going to be sizable repercussions from a modest widow so radically expanding her range of experience, and there are.
Marianne Faithful and Yugoslavian actor Miki Manojlovic are extremely effective as Maggie and Miki - two people who, despite their ages, are able to learn and develop from their experiences.
You'll find that Irina Palm is a very slow moving film but one that offers a very different view of human nature. It is an intriguing slice of life.
A misguiding plot could make you think of a sexual comedy about aging people in strange and unusual situations. "American Pie 20 years after". Far from it. This is a beautiful movie about love. Deepest love that gives the courage to get over an established morality that a person had for the whole life. The courage to sacrifice those moral principles and soil a person's life for a noble purpose. The courage to dare something so different that will ruin your existing life but could ultimately lead to a new one. A better one that has love in it, and will give the guts to stand up for what you are and what you do, no matter what. Definitely an adult movie, not just because of the sex, but children or young teenagers simply won't get the message. It is not obscene, and all the sex related scenes are decent and have absolutely no perversion in them, sex is simply the tool to create the story. A film about two lonely people that found each other. A must see, beautiful story in the European tradition, far from the 'politically correct" American counterparts, realistic, showing life as it is. Cruel, difficult, full of surprises but ultimately always giving everybody a second chance.
- mitranator
- Sep 17, 2012
- Permalink
- robinakaaly
- Dec 29, 2010
- Permalink
Maggie, who sees herself as a middle-aged frump, is on a mission. Her small grandson is dying, and his only hope is treatment is in Australia, thousands of miles and, more importantly, pounds away. Her son and daughter-in-law do not know how they will manage it (and if they will manage it), while Maggie, with no experience of work, desperately tries to find a job to help pay for it. And so she ends up working the sex trade in London's Soho, and a specialised branch of it at that. No experience required. That is Maggie's secret. No one must know she works in the sex trade, not her son or his wife (who she does not get on with), and, above all, not her nosy friends and neighbours. This film turns conventions on their head. She is doing something she knows it "right" (no question of that in her mind – the ends justify the means), and she equally knows she will be condemned by her family and peers if they find out what she is doing. She tries to tell her small grandson she is going to sort it all out, that it is a secret, and a secret is not a secret is what say what it is. So we end up with a middle class woman of a certain age entering a totally alien world. Her employer's character is interesting "I hate people"), and develops from his cold promise that he will kill her if she defaults on a promise. I do not know how realistic it was, but in fact he came across as a good employer, unlike, say, banks. And Maggie becomes a success. But one day the fact she works in the sex trade, what she archives has to come out. The reactions of the family, friends and employer are dealt with extremely well. We are all heroes and villains, just some of us do not seem to realise that. I felt that the sort of people who condemn someone is her position really ought to see this film. They may realise that life is not that simple. But I doubt they will. Marianne Faithful was excellent in this role, and is an interesting choice to play Maggie. The actor who played the sex trade employer catches perfectly. He would be a very difficult man to know. Jenny Agutter revealed the true character of the person she played. It certainly brought out a reaction in me. The son was in a very difficult situation. He did not seem to grasp that a desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy. But who would in his terrible position? I found the tying up of the knots, and particularly the end, moving. I was impressed by this film . I feared it would be dreary. How wrong can you be!
- rogerjdkemp
- Jul 15, 2012
- Permalink
Maggie (Marianne Faithful) has "the best right hand in London". Which is a tad disturbing, considering she is a kindly, middle-class grandmother. But it's OK, because she's only pleasuring men in Soho so that she can pay for her dying grandson's medical treatment. Which is a shame, because Corey Burke, the young actor playing the grandson, is quite irritatingly bad, and the money would be better spend on acting lessons than life-saving procedures.
Thankfully, Kevin Bishop and Siobhan Hewlett inject some authenticity into the proceedings as Tom and Sarah, the devoted parents. Sarah is quietly optimistic, trying not to let the strain affect her son or her marriage. And Tom is quietly despairing, almost accepting his son's fate. Until, that is, his mother hands him a huge wad of cash and refuses to tell him where it came from.
Of course, none of this really matters. Nobody will walk into the cinema wanting to see a family come apart at the seams dealing with the possibility of their son's death. No, the punter's will buy their tickets for Irina Palm to see how a grandmother deals with giving the best hand jobs in Soho.
It's all done very quaintly. Maggie winces her way through her first few clients, before getting to grips (pun intended) with her new profession. And all the while her relationship with her stuck-up friends at home deteriorates, while her friendship with Miki, the club owner, blossoms.
It's all very predictable, really.
Entertaining, though. The script seems a bit forced at times, as do the performances, and the occasional attempts at some kind of social commentary aren't as successful as they could have been. And the soundtrack is oddly bleak, given the film's comedic bent. In fact, there's quite a list of faults. But somehow, Irina Palm manages to entertain, and there's not a lot more you could ask for.
Thankfully, Kevin Bishop and Siobhan Hewlett inject some authenticity into the proceedings as Tom and Sarah, the devoted parents. Sarah is quietly optimistic, trying not to let the strain affect her son or her marriage. And Tom is quietly despairing, almost accepting his son's fate. Until, that is, his mother hands him a huge wad of cash and refuses to tell him where it came from.
Of course, none of this really matters. Nobody will walk into the cinema wanting to see a family come apart at the seams dealing with the possibility of their son's death. No, the punter's will buy their tickets for Irina Palm to see how a grandmother deals with giving the best hand jobs in Soho.
It's all done very quaintly. Maggie winces her way through her first few clients, before getting to grips (pun intended) with her new profession. And all the while her relationship with her stuck-up friends at home deteriorates, while her friendship with Miki, the club owner, blossoms.
It's all very predictable, really.
Entertaining, though. The script seems a bit forced at times, as do the performances, and the occasional attempts at some kind of social commentary aren't as successful as they could have been. And the soundtrack is oddly bleak, given the film's comedic bent. In fact, there's quite a list of faults. But somehow, Irina Palm manages to entertain, and there's not a lot more you could ask for.
- TheFluffyKnight
- Jul 9, 2008
- Permalink
For a movie about a middle-aged woman forced by circumstances to manually administer orgasms to strangers in a seedy sex club, Irina Palm is surprisingly sweet. The set up is simple: Maggie's grandson needs medical treatment that the parents can't afford and desperate, she takes a job at a sex club working the glory hole. As it turns out, she is a natural and is able to earn a good salary and eventually develops a name for herself — and a faithful clientele — as "Irina Palm." It's a great set up and the movie could have gone a couple of directions, playing for laughs and titillation or taking a more serious, thoughtful approach. The filmmakers chose the serious path and it was well worth it. Marianne Faithful is tremendous, bringing vulnerability, strength and an appropriate resignation that comes with age, to the character. Her Maggie sees a way out of the predicament, and makes the best of it. The entire cast is excellent though, gritty and real, but Miki Manojlovic as the club owner is a standout. It covers a lot of territory including the inequity of health care, the objectification of women, familial bonds, small town pressures (in England, but I presume they are universal) and, of course, the mechanics of the perfect tuggie. Check this movie out, it's a treat.
-- www.cowboyandvampire.com --
-- www.cowboyandvampire.com --
- cowboyandvampire
- Sep 15, 2012
- Permalink
I'm not talking about a cash dispensing machine outside your bank, here, either! What could have been a very dodgy premise for a drama with comic overtones, Sam Gabarski's film just about gets the balance right.
Marianne Faithful provides a reassuringly measured and dependable performance as the "widow who w*nks". Finding her grandson's very serious illness can only be treated by a costly hospital stay and treatment down in Australia she responds to an ad for a 'hostess' in Central London, and thinking that that would involve making the tea, the look and body language of poor Maggie, when the penny drops is awkward - and priceless.
She does, of course go on to take up the job and in the process, makes quite a name for herself, soon earning the titular name, quite an accolade, apparently, in the appropriate social circles...
In the sleepy village where she lives, the tea-drinking set (including a very prim Jenny Agutter) who tut-tut more than a out-of-tune moped, Maggie finds both a strangely enthusiastic and two-faced response - which actually provide the best lines in the whole film.
The relationship with her son is understandably strained as he thinks only of his sick child and when he eventually discovers his mother's way of getting the cash, the subsequent emotional fireworks are very believable. However, it is Maggie's relationship with her boss, Miki, the rather slimy Eastern European immigrant who is in competition with other Soho establishments that is the most well handled and satisfying.
Of course, there's always going to be unsavoury aspects to this sort of film, depending on one's point of view, of course but generally, it went as far as it needed to. One's imagination more than made up for the rest and we didn't see anything we'd probably not want to, though there is some female nudity.
Before everyone goes out and announces that here is a film that empowers women and gives people with few qualifications a real chance to earn big bucks, it is generally an unlovely movie. The music is monotonous and depressing, the surroundings dour and there is a whiff of desperation, on many fronts. Having said that, it's pretty good, for what it is but thankfully, unlikely to ever to become mainstream.
I saw it (again) on BBC2.
Marianne Faithful provides a reassuringly measured and dependable performance as the "widow who w*nks". Finding her grandson's very serious illness can only be treated by a costly hospital stay and treatment down in Australia she responds to an ad for a 'hostess' in Central London, and thinking that that would involve making the tea, the look and body language of poor Maggie, when the penny drops is awkward - and priceless.
She does, of course go on to take up the job and in the process, makes quite a name for herself, soon earning the titular name, quite an accolade, apparently, in the appropriate social circles...
In the sleepy village where she lives, the tea-drinking set (including a very prim Jenny Agutter) who tut-tut more than a out-of-tune moped, Maggie finds both a strangely enthusiastic and two-faced response - which actually provide the best lines in the whole film.
The relationship with her son is understandably strained as he thinks only of his sick child and when he eventually discovers his mother's way of getting the cash, the subsequent emotional fireworks are very believable. However, it is Maggie's relationship with her boss, Miki, the rather slimy Eastern European immigrant who is in competition with other Soho establishments that is the most well handled and satisfying.
Of course, there's always going to be unsavoury aspects to this sort of film, depending on one's point of view, of course but generally, it went as far as it needed to. One's imagination more than made up for the rest and we didn't see anything we'd probably not want to, though there is some female nudity.
Before everyone goes out and announces that here is a film that empowers women and gives people with few qualifications a real chance to earn big bucks, it is generally an unlovely movie. The music is monotonous and depressing, the surroundings dour and there is a whiff of desperation, on many fronts. Having said that, it's pretty good, for what it is but thankfully, unlikely to ever to become mainstream.
I saw it (again) on BBC2.
- tim-764-291856
- Jul 14, 2012
- Permalink
I rented this film because it had received great reviews by Norwegian newspapers and so on, 5 and 6 eyes of the dice. And further on I thought this film would be typical British in terms of showing how something "exciting" like a sex club could be funny and not exotic at all, like they did in Full Monthy.
The first sign that this wasn't the movie I expected came in the opening where there was a music so depressing that could kill all enthusiasm. And it continued all through the film. After half an hour where we had been shown how miserable this middle-aged lady was and what she was willing to go through to save her grandchild I thought that something was going to happen, that the film would turn around. But it never did. This story could be told in 15 minutes, there is no reason to make it longer than that. You might think that making it as long as it was was to show the depth of the characters and what they went through, but they weren't even close to give this any deeper meaning or emotion. I really think they went too far in describing the misery. For example the behavior of the people in the bank. Nobody in a bank talk to a customer like that, not even close.
And at the sex club they play the one song over and over again, and she's so good jerking them off that they stand in lines so long that they would probably had to wait an hour to be jerked off, and that hour had to be spent in between other horny males...come on, this was so exaggerated and stupid that I was embarrassed.
I could not recommend this movie. Normally I like different and odd films, but this was just dull and depressing without any deeper message.
The first sign that this wasn't the movie I expected came in the opening where there was a music so depressing that could kill all enthusiasm. And it continued all through the film. After half an hour where we had been shown how miserable this middle-aged lady was and what she was willing to go through to save her grandchild I thought that something was going to happen, that the film would turn around. But it never did. This story could be told in 15 minutes, there is no reason to make it longer than that. You might think that making it as long as it was was to show the depth of the characters and what they went through, but they weren't even close to give this any deeper meaning or emotion. I really think they went too far in describing the misery. For example the behavior of the people in the bank. Nobody in a bank talk to a customer like that, not even close.
And at the sex club they play the one song over and over again, and she's so good jerking them off that they stand in lines so long that they would probably had to wait an hour to be jerked off, and that hour had to be spent in between other horny males...come on, this was so exaggerated and stupid that I was embarrassed.
I could not recommend this movie. Normally I like different and odd films, but this was just dull and depressing without any deeper message.