Jamie passion and passionfruit!

Wong Kar-wai in his first American film produces a distinctly mixed bag.  The glossy neon images are there with interesting camera work, a nice soundtrack by Ry Cooder and some fair performances.  I wanted to like it more than I could as somehow the exercise in style was unable to make up for the lack of substance.  Norah Jones is a rather bland heroine, Jude Law has more charisma but it is Natalie Portman, David Strathairn and Rachel Weisz that hold the attention when on screen.  The intention is there but overall it is not up to his best.

***

There is absolutely nothing original in this film, neither in its story or production.  Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable 85 minutes thanks to its universal message which reminds us that there is life after losing a loved one and that you are never too old to go after your mission in life even if it upsets others.  Of course, what better setting than a Swiss village which seems trapped in a Jane Austen novel. We have the hypocritical village priest, the local businessman cum politician who thinks he can buy and bully his way to anything and the upright women of the parish repressing their true desires. 80 year-old widow Martha with some help from sassy friend Lisi shocks the village by returning to her first love of making erotic lingerie of the most tasteful kind.  She and a group of her friends discover liberation and the opprobrium of their fellow cowardly citizens.  Funny and an easy pleasure to watch

***