Movie Review

Filth and Wisdom (2008)

Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman | Oct 16, 2008

Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman is a film critic for EW

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EW's GRADE

Details Limited Release: Oct 17, 2008; Rated: Unrated; Length: 81 Minutes; Genres: Comedy, Drama; With: Eugene Hutz

FILTHIER NEXT TIME The Madonna-directed Filth and Wisdom could have used more of the former

In Madonna's directorial debut Filth and Wisdom, A.K. (Eugene Hutz), a gratingly boisterous Ukrainian gypsy with a Joseph Stalin mustache, turns to the camera to say that ''filth'' and ''wisdom'' are just alternate paths to the same Truth. That's a promising idea for a Madonna film, but this fragmented and genially campy ensemble comedy only rarely makes good on it. A.K. and his London flatmates moonlight in the sex trade: He's a dominatrix, Holly (Holly Weston) is a ballet dancer–turned–stripper, and shy Juliette (Vicky McClure) assists in S&M fantasy sessions. The movie is short on wisdom, but it might have gotten by if it had had better filth. C

Originally posted Oct 15, 2008 Published in issue #1017 Oct 24, 2008 Order article reprints

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