No. 34 (2021) DEATH OF A LADIES MAN. MAY 8th.

 

Film No. 34 (2021)  May 8th.  11:00 AM  Cinema 1 LUNA,  Leederville. 

"Dead father and singing students aside, any changes in vision?" (The question asked of Samuel by his oncologist; to which he replies "only when I'm really drunk").

This movie takes Gabriel Byrne (and Leonard Cohen for that matter) to a new level in this strangely experimental but highly enjoyable film. If you like your films to vary in themes, texture, script and in any other way, then THE DEATH OF A LADIES MAN is likely for you. Plus if you are a Byrne fan, he's at his best here.

Put simply, Samuel O'Shea (Byrne) is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. O'Shea, is a professor of poetry who drinks heavily, and has strayed in many aspects of his life (particularly when it comes to attractive younger women). Well that's the impression we get from a film that leads us "down the garden path" due to the fact director Bissonnette sets up many delightful scenes which seem real, but are figments of Samuel's imagination.

The strongest scenes created through Samuel's imagination come in the form of visitations from his father, played brilliantly by Brian Gleeson. So why is a much younger Gleeson playing Byrne's father? It won't take you long to figure that little puzzle out. It's all a part of this potpourri of little pleasures LADIES MAN offers up. In Samuel's real world, his relationship with daughter Linda (Carolina Bartczak) is a loving one but maybe his inability to have always been there has had a price. A beautiful woman, Charlotte (Jessica Pare) becomes his new girlfriend. She's perfect in so many ways, and we wonder, is it likely for such a beauty, 30 years his junior to appear so suddenly and fall for him? 

Through all of this (including singing, dancing and irreverent images) Samuel is writing his memoir. We are taking a journey through the pages of some of his life. But Samuel is not always in charge of his thoughts. And what does Leonard Coen have to do with all of this? Well the soundtrack is dominated by his songs, not always sung by him, but undeniably Leonard. LADIES MAN is a delight, with a cracking ending. 10GUMS.