Filth and Wisdom (2008)
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24% of critics liked it
(62 reviews) -
42% of users liked it
(1,889 ratings)
After more than two decades as one of the world's most recognizable stars, Madonna steps behind the camera for the first time with this comedy drama about a handful of bohemians struggling to make a name for themselves in London, which she both wrote and directed. A.K. (Eugene Hutz) is a… More After more than two decades as one of the world's most recognizable stars, Madonna steps behind the camera for the first time with this comedy drama about a handful of bohemians struggling to make a name for themselves in London, which she both wrote and directed. A.K. (Eugene Hutz) is a Ukrainian émigré and struggling musician who fronts a band blending gypsy music with punk rock. Still coming to terms with a childhood pock-marked by abuse, A.K. believes that one has to confront the seamy side of life to find enlightenment, and with this in mind he supports himself by torturing masochists for money while dressed in military gear. Living in the same decaying apartment block as A.K. is Holly (Holly Weston), a gifted dancer who dreams of becoming a ballet star, though now she's forced to degrade herself as a stripper at a "gentleman's nightclub." A.K. is enamored of Holly, but can't work up the nerve to make a move. Elsewhere in the building, Juliette (Vicky McClure) wants to help children in the Third World, but is biding her time working at a pharmacy, where she swipes medicine for charity when she isn't pocketing recreational material for herself, and Professor Flynn (Richard E. Grant) is a blind poet who is surrounded by a personal library of books he can no longer read. Filth and Wisdom also features several performances by Gogol Bordello, the band Eugene Hutz leads in real life; the film received its world premiere at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Critic Reviews
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Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
This is a terrible, terrible worthless movie that you shouldn't give any time to.
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Ben Lyons, At the Movies
I'm confident the material girl has more good material for movies ahead of her.
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Does anyone remember when Madonna was considered shocking?
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Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
At 84 minutes, the movie feels both overpadded and underdeveloped.
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Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
Nothing in this cynical bit of claptrap feels remotely real.
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Cast
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Eugene Hutz
as A.K.
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Holly Weston
as Holly
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Vicky McClure
as Juliette
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Richard E. Grant
as Professor Flynn
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Inder Manocha
as Sardeep
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Elliot Levey
as Business Man
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Francesca Kingdon
as Francine
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Clare Wilkie
as Chloe
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Stephen Graham
as Harry Beechman
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Shobu Kapoor
as Sardeep's Wife
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Olegar Fedoro
as A.K.'s Father
- Ade
- Gogol Bordello
