Attaboy encouragement

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In a Berlin Film Festival review of Filth and Wisdom, the first feature directed by Madonna, Times Online critic James Christopher has waxed mixed-positive. Wait...is that an accurate way to characterize? It's almost a pan but with a Valentine flourish. Like Christopher was staggered by the fact that it was a lot better than expected, which led to his writing from a generous (i.e., relieved) state of mind.

"Despite its many shortcomings and an ending so mushy and neat it would embarrass Richard Curtis, Madonna has done herself proud. Her film has an artistic ambition that has simply bypassed her husband, the film director Guy Ritchie. She captures that wonderfully accidental nature of luck when peopleÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s lives intersect for a whole swathe of unlikely but cherishable reasons. 'Altmanesque' would be stretching the compliment too far, but Filth and Wisdom shows Madonna has real potential as a film director."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 13, 2008 at 9:32 AM

comment #1

Beaucoul says ...

does anyone know what a "spit take" is?

that's when a "straight man" spits his drink out on everyone in a fit of incredulity.

that's what happened to me after reading this article.

Posted by Beaucoul at February 13, 2008 9:57 AM

comment #2

snackyx says ...

I thought Danny Thomas was dead.

Posted by snackyx at February 13, 2008 10:30 AM

comment #3

Rich S. says ...

If he is, he's still a better director than Madonna.

Posted by Rich S. at February 13, 2008 10:37 AM

comment #4

insidah says ...

She's obviously a woman with bold/smart taste. The only thing that got in the way of her acting, I'm convinced, is that she never wanted the camera to pin her down - her career strength has always been based on her ability to morph. She would lose her mystery if she was too good as one character. Her shape-shifty ways made it hard for her to play anything other than a shape-shifty character (i.e. Desp. Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy). Okay, if I sound like I've hit the bong, I have.

Posted by insidah at February 13, 2008 10:46 AM

comment #5