Maddie should keep her day job
Added 10/29/2009
I was looking forward to this film, if for no other reason than to see what kind of job Madonna did on her directorial debut. What a jumbled mess. At least she still has her music career. I did laugh out loud at a few jokes, and thought Vicky McClure was adorable. However, Eugene Hutz' accent was so thick in places that I had trouble understanding anything he said. As seems typical these days, it seems the film was trying to be more artsy than it actually is - or deserves to be.
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Better than expected
Added 9/28/2009
Being a fan of Gogol Bordello and seeing Eugene Hutz's brilliant performance in his debut film of the compelling Everything Is Illuminated, I wanted to see what else he's capable of on the screen, though I went in without high expectations. I think Madonna at the helm of this project instilled that hesitation in me. I found the acting good, and the story intriguing. Three roommates are trying to find their niche in society like we all are. What will they do to find what they are looking for? Most anything, and the audience follows along on their journey.
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One of those films that keeps you thinking about the message for a few days after viewing it. I found it immensely insightful. But I say this as a Madonna fan.
I will admit that she has starred in some very sub-par films in the past (Minus "Evita"), but as a director, she soars. This is one of the best films I've ever seen. LOVED IT!
1 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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blind ambition
Added 7/2/2009
"Filth and Wisdom" is Madonna's 2008 directorial movie debut. If you're looking for this film and stumbled upon this page don't worry because there is a US DVD that is out now. You can find it at the Blockbuster Web site. They are the current official/only distributor of the DVD in the US. Although their DVD is a previously viewed copy I don't think anyone would mind as it's available now and less than the DVD on this page. There's also a Canadian DVD and a region 1 DVD from Japan, however these are each more expensive and this site isn't offering either one. (They are selling the French region 2 DVD, however that will not play on most US machines.)
In 1993 after 2 of the most abominable movies of her entire career premiered ("Body of Evidence" and "Dangerous Game") Madonna brazenly said, "I want to direct." 15 years later her wish came to fruition. Besides some commercials in '07, this was her first big production as a director, or is it dictator?
The basic premise of this movie, not to mention Madonna's huge overdone allegory is that everyone has to "travel down the road of filth and wisdom." Included in the film are 2 plots, with the same goals, but different paths for each. Perhaps it would have been more palpable if "Filth and Wisdom" wasn't a low-grade B (or Z?) film, at best. The shoddy cinematography, audio and script (which incidentally Madonna also wrote) are proof of that.
Although I enjoyed some aspects of this film (there were a couple funny lines), overall I found it very bland and not very entertaining. The entire story is an exaggerated cliche which includes one of the countless "messages" that Madonna has rubber stamped on all of her recent projects over the last 10 years. But if you're a fan of Madonna's music (let's be honest, only her fans are interested in this movie) you'll be glad to know that her '92 songs "Erotica" and "Secret Garden" are included on the soundtrack.
Incidentally, Madonna produced another message-in-a-bottle film in '08; the beneficent "I Am Because We Are." If you're looking for that one, it was only released online and through on-demand cable outlets, at no charge. The only way to get it on a hard copy DVD is to purchase a region 2 version that was put out in Turkey.
It is true that if Madonna did not direct/produce "Filth and Wisdom" no one would have ever seen it, nor would it have premiered throughout Europe and Japan (to very poor reviews by the entire film community). But Madonna is a huge name that attracts viewers. If this film is any reflection of her talents as a director she certainly shouldn't quit her day job yet.
Isn't it the height of nerve and gall and hilarity for an actress who never received success as a modern thespian to now all-of-a-sudden become a director? But I suppose there is no other performer who is as nervy or ballsy as the one and only Madonna.
14 out of 22 people found this helpful.
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Madonna as filth and wisdom
Added 7/2/2009
As always Madonna gives to us something unique and original. This first directorial proved that. The movie is about dreams and the difficulties to get them. looking forward to have it on DVD, I saw IT IN NEW YORK. Hope we can see more of her in this genera. Best to the Queen of Pop.
5 out of 10 people found this helpful.
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