Corrie Film Club Christmas double bill.

On Sunday 11th December, two films will be shown, with supper in between. The first is the wonderful animated film called The Illusionist, which starts at 6.30 pm and is ideal for children and for anyone who simply wants to laugh and enjoy some lovely things to look at.  
Based on an unpublished script by Jacques Tati, the Sylvain Chomet film is the story of a conjuror whose trade is beginning to look seriously old-hat (though his white rabbit is brilliantly malevolent.) His one fan is a young girl called Alice, who follows him devotedly despite his efforts to shake her off. On a very shrewdly observed tour of Scotland, the Tati conjuror meets every shortbread-tin convention in the book and is surprised by them all, in exactly that innocent-at-large way that is so endearing about Tati himself. The dialogue is minimal, but the story unfolds with great beauty through animation and body language. The enchanting musical score was written by Chomet himself.

After a break for a festive supper, the evening continues with a screening at 8.30 pm of Soft Top Hard Shoulder.  In this rare British road movie. Peter Capaldi plays Gavin Bellini, son of a Glasgow ice-cream baron who has just sold the business. Gavin is due a share, he learns from a casual meeting with Uncle Sol in London – but if he is to get the money, Gavin has to present himself in Glasgow in time for his father’s birthday. He sets out at once in an unreliable Triumph called ‘Crazy Horse’ and on the way stacks the cards against himself even higher by picking up Yvonne, a hitch-hiker with a past. (Elaine Collins.) Both of them are at firs sight lacking in charm, but their discoveries about each other are oddly touching as well as funny. Capaldi himself wrote the script, and the 1992 film was directed by Stefan Schwartz. If you’ve ever been on a drive that turned out to be somewhat fraught, Soft Top Hard Shoulder will ring bells. Even for the driver of a proper car who never stops for hitch-hikers, this tough little comedy is rattle-bang good value.

All are welcome to attend both or either film. There is no charge for admission, though if you are not a member of the Film Club, a voluntary contribution to Corrie Hall’s running expenses would be gratefully welcomed.

For this years programme see http://www.arranart.com/corriefilmclub.html