hirsch-jesse Reviews

Shall We Go to My Place or Your Place or Each Go Home Alone? (1973 TV Movie)

Brilliant little slice of the singles scene

[8/10 · 10 January 2008]

Three Swedish dudes in their late twenties meet up at a happening discotheque to try their hand with the lady-folk. Near closing time, they all cast out their lines semi-desperately. What follows is a smart dialog-driven view on the bar scene. Amazingly, there was very little that seemed dated or foreign about this movie, a testament to the universal power of the writing (or perhaps the stale unchanging nature of the meat market.)

One way or another, this movie will likely grab you in some way. The moments with Gunnar and his lady are painful and awkward, like a scene out of Happiness. Arne and his lady are thought-provoking and odd artistes, more difficult to puzzle out. Calle and his lady are fresh and upbeat, injecting much-needed hope into what could otherwise be a semi-depressing film.

I believe the only way you can see this movie is on the DVD extras of My Life as a Dog but if you get a chance, it's well worth it. And if you hate it, it's only 45 minutes long, you haven't wasted much time.

I'm Through with White Girls (2007)

Smart comedy, better than its silly name

[8/10 · 10 January 2008]

I saw this one at the Roxbury Film Festival and it brought down the house. Many moments of warm, engaging comedy (Jay Brooks dancing is priceless.) But underneath its typical romcom plot line (hapless male hero, has issues with commitment, meets the girl who may change everything, but is it too late?) is smart and incisive commentary on gender, aging and ambition, with a hint of race relations for flavor.

On a side note, Lia Johnson is incredibly sexy and charming as the main female lead. I don't know many actresses who could put neon yarn in her hair without seeming like a self-conscious teenager or a vagrant, but she pulls it off with panache. Hopefully we'll see more of this lovely actress in the future!