Release

Synopsis

In London, A.K. is a Ukrainian Gypsy, seeking fame as a rocker, doing odd jobs: he's a dom, drives a hack, and runs errands for his neighbor, a poet full of self pity since going blind. A.K's flatmates are Holly, a ballerina who becomes a reluctant stripper in need of coaching, and Juliette, a pill-popping assistant at a pharmacy run by an Indian tired of his marriage. Juliette, estranged from her family, dreams of helping the poor children of Africa; A.K. has a crush on Holly; Juliette's boss lusts after her. Her hapless sister calls from time to time. The poet despairs. Is there a route from filth to wisdom for these souls? Can they find fun and fulfillment? A.K. provides philosophical comment. (source: IMDB)

Rating

When I went to see this movie in a theatre on the Champs Elysées in Paris, a day after the Sticky & Sweet show in Stade de France, I entered with quite some scepticism. I'm not a particular fan of Madonna's acting and didn't expect much from her directing debut. But I must say this movie surprised and pleased me. It describes a genuine atmosphere of different characters in their struggle for life and their search for happiness. There's a healthy balance between humour, drama and moral. Hutz is a perfect cast for his role. While not a masterpiece, still a nice debut for Madonna. 7/10