Film Club watches Interview

Little Lush Lewis joined us for the beginning and Dong wandered in after a long hard journey from the far north eastern part of this country of ours (he's been throwing beer mats at bemused publicans again). Dong's slightly late arrival was no handicap, he only missed the first few minutes of this short (81 minute) two-hander and there was little plot explanation required before he was up to speed and guzzling the red stuff like a good 'un in front of our steam driven cathode ray tube.

This film is Steve Buscemi's baby. He wrote the screenplay from Theo Holman's original and directed as well as taking the male lead opposite the surprisingly good Sienna Miller. Their contrasting appearances provide an excellent visual foil for the interplay between them over the course of the interview which forms the central premise of the film.

There is not a narrative to follow as such. Apart from the short establishing scenes at the top of the film and the slightly implausible conceit which throws the pair into an evening of confusion, word play and deception the film consists of the two protagonists in Katya's (Sienna Miller) loft apartment as Pierre Peders (Buscemi) makes on-off attempts to complete an interview with Katya.

Buscemi's character is a fading political journalist who is being obliged after a fall out with his bosses to interview "celebs" and produce fluff pieces. Miller's Katya is a popular soap actress of minimal talent and stunning looks. Naturally there is much abrasion and simmering resentment.

Neither character is particularly sympathetic; you probably wouldn't want either of them around for tea. There is a pervasive undercurrent of menace and betrayal throughout as Katya and Peders fight for the upper hand in their semi-imprisoned state.

It's a very good and claustrophobic piece of drama. It's not for anyone looking for running, jumping and falling down nor for those seeking a light hearted evening's entertainment. It will amply reward the viewer for the investment of an hour and twenty minutes- and it twists too.