Film review: Concussion | Pantani | A Touch Of Sin
Concussion (15)
**
A lesbian housewife is hit on the head, and turns into a Sapphic version of Catherine Deneuve in Belle De Jour in Stacie Passon’s first feature film. Abby (Robin Weigert) is an affluent suburban mum, neglected by her generically cold lawyer wife (Julie Fain Lawrence) and her two kids. Concussion is well acted, but it seems remarkably easy to set yourself up as a fortysomething high-priced escort in a profession curiously low on danger and unpleasant clients. Audiences cruising for tasteful kinks should be aware that the encounters are underwhelming and the camera gets most of its kicks from photographing immaculately styled houses and fashions. Tepid and contrived, this is really House & Garden porn.
Selected release: Cineworld Glasgow Renfield
A Touch Of Sin (15)
****
Four stories of murder, desperation and revenge in modern China are brought together as a fierce humanist polemic by Jia Zhangke. Better known for more contemplative, less bloody works such as Still Life and Unknown Pleasures, this is what Pulp Fiction might have looked like if Bill Douglas had got hold of it. If that sounds like a good thing to you, then do go see.
Selected release: Glasgow Film Theatre, 16-22 May