The movie focuses on three flatmates living in London.  A.K. (Eugene Hutz) immigrated from the Ukraine.  We see a couple of flashbacks to his childhood and let me tell you, his father was not a nice man.  A.K. is a singer; he and his band are trying to get their big break in the music business.  In the meantime, he works as a Domme to earn the money he needs to survive.  His flatmates know how he earns a living; however, he wants to keep it a secret from his bandmates.

Another job A.K. has is to run errands for the blind man that lives downstairs, Professor Flynn (Richard E. Grant).  In addition to being a professor, he is also a writer and poet.  At least he was until he lost his eyesight.  Now he pretty much sits around his apartment.  A.K. tries to encourage him to start writing again, but it appears that Professor Flynn has given up.  However, I don’t think A.K. is going let him get away with wasting his talent like that.

Holly (Holly Weston) is a ballet dancer, but it doesn’t take her long to discover that it is next to impossible to make a living at it.  A.K. suggests that she become a stripper to earn the money she needs.  She really isn’t comfortable with the idea, but eventually she gives in and goes to an audition at a “Gentleman’s Club”.  She quickly discovers that it’s not all that easy to do it well.  Luckily for her another stripper, Francine, takes her under her wing.  She gives her pointers on her performance, in addition to personal advice.

Juliette (Vicky McClure) works in a pharmacy.  Like A.K., she also had a traumatic childhood, which coincidently was due to her father too.  Her dream is to go to Africa and help the impoverished and sick children there.  She tries to do what she can, until she actually has the opportunity to go.  Such as raise money for the cause and unbeknownst to her boss, steal medications that she can take with her when she goes.

I really enjoyed the movie.  It was interesting to see what their lives are like and what they are willing to do to help achieve their dreams.  The flow of the movie was good; with a good mix of quieter more introspective moments and ones that are livelier.

I love A.K.’s narratives throughout the film.  He spends a fair amount of time sitting in the bathtub, drinking, smoking and contemplating life; which he shares with us.  The bathtub scenes are beautifully shot, love the mirror effect.  Eugene is absolutely wonderful as A.K.  He has such charisma and screen presence.  He really is the heart of the film and what draws you into the story. 

Some of my favorite quotes:

A.K. – “Humanity seems to be divided into two categories, people trying to be good and people trying to be bad.”

A.K. – “And not that you get to call me a name that a dog of a father gave to me.”

Professor Flynn – “Stop being so dramatic Andre.”

A.K. – “I don’t mean to be rude, but if you love words so much, how could you stop writing?”

Professor Flynn – “The day I stopped seeing is the day I stopped writing.”

A.K. – “Well, then you are just wasting your talent.”

A.K. – “The last time a man put his hand on me didn’t end very nicely.”

A.K. – “Let’s see, it’s not 1800’s anymore, we are not in Russia and nobody gives a f*ck about ballet.”

A.K. – “You know, in my country there is a saying … if you want to reach the sky, f*ck a duck and try to fly.” 

Holly – “I’m still in denial about having to take my clothes off to make a living.”

Professor Flynn – “Ah, well for one thing you don’t have to, you’ve chosen it.  And secondly, stop being so bloody puritanical.”

Professor Flynn – “The road to success is paved with humiliation.  The sooner you accept that the easier the journey will get.”

A.K. – “Oh, look what dragged in the cat.”

A.K. – “Envelopes, envelopes, everybody’s getting envelopes.  Were the f*ck is my envelope?”

A.K. – “Only when you eat a lemon do you appreciate what sugar is.” 

A.K. – “You see my friend, feeling good is just as contagious as feeling bad.  Two sides of the same coin. “

Random Stuff:

I love all of A.K.’s “in my country, we have a saying” parts.  Especially the time his roommates roll their eyes at him when he’s talking.  You get the impression that they have heard many of his country’s sayings.

A.K.’s band in the movie is Eugene’s actual band, Gogol Bordello.  They are a gypsy punk band and I think they are amazing.  I went to their Seattle concert last year and they were incredible.  Eugene is a phenomenal frontman and the concert was a blast. 

By the way, most of the music in the film is either Gogol Bordello or J.U.F. (which was a collaboration between Gogol Bordello and Balkan Beat Box back in 2004).

Eugene in a dress and woman’s wig, with that big mustache, nuff said.

Jan

P.S.  Comments are welcomed.  Scroll towards the bottom of the page (below the spoiler section) to where it says “Click Here to Make a Comment”.  Or on entries from previous days there is a comment box.

Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers.  If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.

I really liked how the movie both opened and closed with A.K. talking directly to us.  It created a nice symmetry.

The ending was so uplifting.  It was terrific how Gogol Bordello’s performance was intercut with what was happening in their lives.  Such as, A.K. giving Professor Flynn a Braille typewriter, Juliette saying goodbye as she is leaving for Africa and Holly kissing A.K.  It was a lovely way to tie things together at the end.