Girl with a Pistol

     A long time ago now I started posting mini-reviews of films and today I'm reviving the format, having nothing else to do as the bf is in the kitchen (which doubles as my studio) baking - he's making Huffkins. 

     Last night we watched 'Girl with a Pistol', a rather 'hit and miss' Italian film - a comedy apparently, but we didn't laugh that much - starring Monica Vitti and Stanley Baker. Perhaps an odd combination to begin with. That it was a product of the Sixties spiked my interest when I saw it announced on Twitter - it was broadcast on the marvellous Talking Pictures. And I suppose it was an interesting social document, contrasting Sicilian social mores - strict segregation of the sexes and vendettas - with those of  'Swinging London' (and other provincial cites). A extreme contrast then. And I suppose it could be seen a sort of picaresque journey through contemporary Britain (looking decidedly shabby in places). However the production seemed to be all over the place, bargain basement Pasolini at one moment and attempting the farcical the next. It didn't help at all that it really wasn't Monica Vitti's finest hour. Baker delivered a much better performance, but in all not a film that is at ease with itself.

Girl with a Pistol

1968

Producer:                Gianni Hecht Lucari

Director:                  Mario Monicelli

Cinematographer:  Carlo Di Palma