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Irina Palm

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IRINA PALM may be a film too many people will overlook, thinking it either empty headed or pornographic. But word of mouth should correct those misconceptions, as this little quiet film is a tender story of an aging woman's sacrifices and healthy outlook in the face of adversity. IRINA PALM is that happy marriage of comedy and drama, a heartwarming tale that leaves the viewer with both a smile and a tear.

Written by Director Sam Garbarski with Martin Herron and Phillipe Blasband, IRINA PALM is the story of a widowed grandmother Maggie (Marianne Faithfull in a luminous performance) whose young grandson Ollie (Corey Burke) is gravely ill. Maggie's son Tom (Kevin Bishop) and daughter-in-law Sarah (Siobhan Hewlett) cannot afford the transfer from England to Australia where the young lad could undergo curative treatment. Maggie decides she must find a job - a daunting task for an older woman with no particular job training - to make the treatment affordable. After numerous rejections from employment agencies, she spies a Sex Shop advertising for 'hostesses'. Thinking that designation means serving tea, etc, she enters the shady establishment and is interviewed by the owner Miki (Miki Manojlovic), a gentle man who gently describes the type of employment: Maggie would sit in a room and provide simple masturbation through a glory hole for anonymous clients. At first shocked by the job description, she in desperation investigates the business with the help of her soon to be best friend Luisa (Dorka Gryllus), and accepts the job with reservations. To her surprise (and the surprise of Miki and Luisa) Maggie gains a loyal following of customers, so much so that she is given the name 'Irina Palm'.

Keeping her employment a secret from everyone, she is the brunt of gossip from her old cronies and when she gives the money from her job to her son Tom without revealing its source, she causes a riff in the family. Maggie is courted by other sex shop owners who offer higher pay, but she remains faithful to Miki who advanced her the money for Ollie's trip to Australia. Tom stalks his mother to her workplace, discovers the source of her income, and explodes with anger and embarrassment that his mother would stoop to such depths. But Maggie's role as Irina Palm has given her confidence and also opened her heart not only to her grandson's future but to her own happiness as well. The ending may be expected by some, but will warm the hearts of everyone.

There are many moments of humor - Maggie's learning her trade, her ultimate confession to her cronies as to her occupation, etc - and this lightness makes the dramatic message more powerful. Faithfull is extraordinarily fine in this difficult role, but the entire cast is sensitively responsive to the screenplay and to director Garbarski's vision. This is a film to cherish. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 08

Desperate to earn money so her critically ill grandson can have a much-needed operation, a modest and reserved middle-aged widow finds a job "pleasuring" men through a hole in the wall of a sleazy London strip joint. Before you know it, Maggie is doing quite the little business (years of not doing manual labor have apparently paid off), with a steady stream of satisfied customers queuing up outside her cubicle, and a boss more than satisfied with the money she`s bringing in. She's even adopted a stage name, Irina Palm, renowned for having the "smoothest" hand in the business. But hiding the truth from her son and daughter-in-law and her snooty, gossipy friends becomes a daily challenge for Maggie as she debases herself for a noble cause.

Despite its rather - um, shall we say "touchy" subject matter - "Irina Palm" is a warm human drama about a woman willing to go to any lengths to help a person she loves. But that's only the glass-half-empty aspect of the story for, in a bizarre sort of way, this turns out to be one of the best things that's ever happened to Maggie. Indeed, her willingness to meet life on its own terms - then, eventually, her own - opens up whole new possibilities for Maggie as an individual, possibilities that have hitherto remained unrealized due to the various social roles and conduct restrictions that have been imposed upon her throughout the course of her life. Her new job gives her a type of freedom she's never had before, simply because it is she and she alone who is now determining what course that life will take.

"Irina Palm" may make some in the audience squirm at times, but the sheer preposterousness of what Maggie is being called upon to do in the name of money, and the empathy generated by famed singer Marianne Faithful's beautifully understated and heartfelt performance purge the film of any taint of luridness it might otherwise have had. There's actually quite a bit of humor here as well, as Maggie begins by swallowing her pride - then finding a pride of her own in a job well done, much to the consternation of the sanctimonious prigs who surround her. Yet, as directed and co-written by Sam Garbarski, "Irina Palm" makes it a point to be fair to its characters. This is particularly the case with Miklos, Maggie's boss (wonderfully played by Miki Manojlovic), who could easily have been portrayed as an irredeemable lout but who instead comes across as a shrewd but not unreasonable businessman with issues of his own to deal with and a spiritual connection with this strange woman who overturns not only his establishment but his heart. And fine performances by Kevin Bishop, Siobhan Hewlett, Corey Burke and Jenny Agutter ("An American Werewolf in London") add to the emotional richness of the piece.

This is a surprisingly tender and touching film that will have you rooting for the middle-aged widow with the magic hand almost in spite of yourself.

This was a wonderful suprise. Someone at my office had told me about this movie and I was curious about watching it. After viewing it, I was glad I made the purchase...very good movie!

Long ago I used to listen to the music of Marianne Faithfull so when I accidentally began watching this movie I continued watching not out of nostalgia but because of the enchanting, gentle nature of this middle-class widowed grandmother and her desperate approach to lessening her family's financial burden. My attention was not due solely to the subject matters obvious humor (including the interesting clash of stereo-types) but because of Irena's quietly persistent and dignified manner in seeing her idea through until her financial goal was achieved at which time her grandson then had a real shot at being cured of cancer. Faithfull truly acted the part and the story lines never let her down nor diminished her in stature despite the obvious attempt of others to do so once the true nature of her work was revealed. A touching but very funny story (although admitably not meant for the prudish or those who easily censure others without understanding).

"Irina Palm" is a fascinating, if somewhat stilted, exploration of mother love and sacrifice. We've certainly seen many similar cinematic journeys where women turn to the sex trade out of financial desperation. However, I think it's fair to say that we've never seen a protagonist quite like Irina Palm. What might have been a tawdry example of excess in someone else's hands is kept refreshingly honest in Sam Garbarski's understated direction. With the camera lingering on the contours of star Marianne Faithfull's lived-in face, it is clear that "Irina Palm" hopes for an intimate character study as opposed to a lurid expose of its colorful setting. And it is these choices, in the long run, which cause "Irina Palm" to stand out with a surprising amount of dignity.

Faithfull stars as a grandmother devoted to her family. As her grandson is in the hospital with a rather vaguely defined condition, they get the devastating news that the illness is worsening. An experimental treatment is available but it will cost a lot of money to finance. Desperate and willing to make any sacrifice for the boy, Faithfull ends up accepting the job as hostess in a neighborhood sex club. As we all know, and as the proprietor explains to the rather innocent Faithfull, hostess is just a euphemism for a rather more hands-on experience. Initially wary, money wins out. But a greater transformation is within grasp. Having always defined herself through others, the job soon becomes a liberation of sorts--especially as she rises to the heights of her chosen profession under the stage name of Irina Palm.

I appreciated the unusual positioning that "Irina Palm" takes. Faithfull, through the course of her sacrifice, is snapped back into the land of the living--realizing her worth as an individual. Former wild child Faithfull (yes, it is the singer Faithfull who was intimately involved with The Rolling Stones) is an unlikely, but effective choice. But while I enjoyed her matter-of-fact approach, she is perhaps a bit too stoic and emotionless. Never varying expression more than a degree or two, I thought the film might have benefited from a bit more active involvement on her part. There is also a bit of romance that culminates with a passionate kiss. Supposed to be a defining moment, it comes across so awkwardly and devoid of real feeling. In truth, I'm not sure I totally believed Faithfull getting the job, her relationship with her boss, or that she would end up being a star--but, despite my reservations, it is Faithfull's steadiness that kept the film grounded. So, as you can see, I'm a bit conflicted in my reaction to Faithfull--but I don't see that as an entirely negative thing. A unique character study that I think could be a nice surprise for adult audiences. KGHarris, 1/11.

Was rather unexpected, but presented a social problem that would be extremely difficult. The story brings to light the need for tolerance, understanding, and most of all forgiveness.

Hand Jobs as a sweet love story. Faithful is tremendous. Her facial expressions are worth an oscar.

3.5 stars. There have been many British films dealing with the gritty underbelly of the sex trade; despite a plot that would seem to mark this as one of those, this movie is much closer in in spirit to "Shirley Valentine" in its central theme of a woman of a certain age declaring emancipation from her boring and limited provincial existence and finding a late-in-life love in the most unlikely place. Widowed Maggie, desperate to raise cash for medical treatment for her critically ill grandson winds up applying for a 'hostess' position in a SoHo sex club giving hand jobs. Not because she wants this kind of work, but because with no education or job skills, it's all she can get. The owner of the club agrees to give her a trial, and to his surprise, not to mention Maggie's own, she turns out to be a natural at this work, despite her prim demeanor. In short order, Maggie is leading a duel existence: queen of the SoHo sex district by day (and night) as well as unassuming provincial grandmother, taking the train to London every afternoon from her village while trying to avoid detection by her nosy neighbors and her son and daughter-in-law. Maggie's boss renames her 'Irina Palm' and makes her (or rather, her right hand) the centerpiece of his club. At first intending to exploit this sheltered housewife, he winds up discovering tender feelings for his new employee. Those familiar with Marianne Faithfull's storied past as 60's rock icon, girlfriend of Mick Jagger and infamous heroin addict will marvel that she can portray a timid woman of limited life experience just discovering her own identity, but she brings depth and pathos to Maggie's situation, as well as a dry humor. The scenes where Maggie deals with the occupational hazard of '(not tennis) elbow' or tells off her snotty village friends after they find out what she's been up to are delightful. I had expected a much darker and more exploitative tale, given the subject matter, but "Irina Palm" turned out to be an oddly lighthearted and life-affirming venture into cinema.

I came across this movie by accident and I was pleasantly surprised. Marianne Faithfull plays the part of "Maggie" who is an older, rather "frumpy" woman (as she describes herself) who is widowed and who has very limited means and opportunities. Her grandson is sick and possibly dying, and the family desperately needs to come up with the necessary funds to get him life-saving medical treatment within a few weeks.

It's painful to watch Maggie as she tries to borrow money and is turned down and as she tries to find work and is basically told she is worthless because of her age and her lack of skills and education. As she is walking through the streets of Soho in London, she comes across "Sexy World" which has a sign posted saying that it needs a hostess. Maggie, not realizing that the word "hostess" is a euphemism for the word "whore" in Sexy World (as Miki, the owner, will later explain to her) goes in and applies for the job. Miki -perhaps to the amazement of everyone -gives her the job on a trial basis. What is the job? The job title should be "wanker" and not "hostess". Sexy world has something unique that the other clubs in London don't, and that is two waist-high "glory holes" (I'll stop here). This job does not require the men to see Maggie or for her to see them, so looks and youth are not relevant. Maggie is shown the ropes by Luisa who will later become her friend. At first, Maggie is shocked and repulsed when she finds out what the job entails, but desperation drives her to do it. So Maggie becomes quite accomplished at what she does and even develops a following, prompting Micki to give her the name "Irina Palm". In an odd way, this job gives Maggie the confidence she never had before, and yes, in a sense, Maggie finally comes of age -probably years past menopause. Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a late bloomer.

Miki Manojlovic does a fine job as the club owner, "Miki". Miki seems like a very tough, straight-forward businessman who is only interested in making money in the beginning, but we later find out that in reality, Miki has a heart as well. Had he not, in my opinion, he would never have given Maggie the job in the first place.

This movie is quite moving. I am sure that the message of the film is not to suggest that Irina's new-found profession is desirable or even acceptable. The point of the film is that most human beings will do what they need to in order to survive and to save their loved ones. Maggie handles this very undesirable profession with dignity and quiet resolve. I think that while most of us despise places like "Sexy World" and the people who work in those kinds of places, we forget they they are human, too -human beings trying to make it in this world. Each person has a different reason for why they are there and a different story to tell, but the underlying objective with any of them is survival.

Marianne Faithful, the singer, songwriter and actress from the late 1960's has once again come to the fore as the star of this film. She plays a woman who has lost her life in her middle-age. She is rootless, finacially spent and her life revolves around her grandson, Olly, who is ill.

Marianne in her despair to raise money, finds a job to send Olly to Australia for experimental therapy. Not the kind of job any lady would want. As A.O. Scott says "Instead she sits alone in a room with a hole in the wall and provides a form of satisfaction suggested by her professional pseudonym, which is also the movie's title. And she's so skilled that men are soon lining up and insisting on her special services. " Marianne, known as Maggie works at a sex club in Oxford Circus, SoHo in London. Maggie is dismayed with this job, but the money is good and much to her surpise she has technique that drives the men to her. The manager of the club becomes fond of her, and Maggie realises this and asks her boss for $6,000 pounds advance to give her grandson a chance for life. She must work for 10 weeks and the deal is set. Her family may have other ideas, but it is Maggie who sets the tone.

Marianne Faithful still has an aura of rock 'n' roll glamour that is perfected for this film. She explores a range of emotion from Maggie's timid personna, to one of toughness and humor as her true self is revealed. One of the most humorous scenes is when she tells her sophisticated friends about her new job as "wanker of the penis". "Irina Palm" is trite at times but Marianne Faithful makes this character a real and fascinating person.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 02-03-09

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