A Funny Day 9

“The Final Member” comes from Iceland [and Canada, Italy and the USA].  Siggi Hjartarson has 280 penises from 93 different species in his Phallological Museum in Iceland.  He really needs only one so he can die happy.  The quest for a human penis falls to the likes of an Icelandic adventurer [Siggi first choice] and an American who has the edge because he is willing to donate the member before he dies; that’s right, he will have it surgically removed and mounted for the presentation.  Problems arise when it is noted that the Icelandic choice is 95 years old and experiencing “shrinkage” which may disqualify him.  They have a 5-inch minimum requirement for the museum.  On the other hand the American is demanding too much and has gone and had the Stars and Stripes tattooed on the head of his entry.  This is a funny and very entertaining 75 minutes but, I fear you will have to wait for it to be released on Netflix.

“Margarita” has been a Festival favorite and the buzz is understandable if a bit over the top.  Don’t get me wrong; it’s a good film on an important subject, well made and well acted.  It’s just a little too sweet and formulaic.  Nicola Correia Damude plays an illegal nanny who is about to be fired by her over-extended employers.  The trouble is they learn that they simply cannot live without her.  Immigration reform, gay marriage, love and commitment are all addressed with intelligence and compassion.  This one may and should go mainstream in spite of its sexuality; brace yourself, Margarita, the illegal alien is also a lesbian.  See it, please.

“Papadopoulos & Sons” is another crowd pleaser from the UK [and Greece].  It is yet another reversal-of-fortune comedy with all the conventions but it is entertaining and funny.  There is nothing here that is original but still, feel-good movies are created to make us feel good.  This will do the trick.

“The Color of the Chameleon” from Bulgaria was a bit difficult for me.   It is a very stylish noir thriller with abundant references to old Hollywood.  I found it a little too absurdist and the humor forced or beyond my scope.  There were a few in the audience who howled with delight so often that I can only imagine they were Bulgarian and savvy to the “in” jokes.   Still it is visually remarkable with fine set design and art direction.  If you are a fan of Kafka and/or David Lynch this is a film for you.