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Yes (2003)

Director: Sally Potter

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From Time Out London

The recipe for Potter’s latest film is characteristically intriguing and original. ‘Yes’ explores the racial, religious, cultural and sexual prejudice and conflict engendered in the somewhat unlikely love affair between the elegant Irish-American wife (Joan Allen) of a British politician (Sam Neill) and a charming but feisty Lebanese restaurant worker (Simon Abkarian), with all of the dialogue in rhyming couplets. It may sound pretentious and unappealing, but don’t let the prospect of verse put you off. The script is witty and made easy to follow by the performances, and the film is arguably her finest to date. A delightfully funny, touching and tenderly erotic romance for a post-9/11 world, it begins brilliantly with a quizzical, offbeat prologue in which Shirley Henderson’s confiding cleaning lady inspects her rich employers’ house for signs of muck while waxing philosophical and scientific over the evidence she finds not only of physical passion but of cosmic laws. Thereafter, the film charts the lovers’ courtship, consummation and almost inevitable slide into crisis as their various differences, inequalities and needs – not to mention the pressures exerted by the surrounding world – conspire to create a gulf between them…There’s a great deal to enjoy here. The performances are beautifully gauged, with Allen proving yet again that she’s one of the best screen actresses around. An inspired touch is her visit to a dying communist aunt (Sheila Hancock) in Belfast, which together with a wry but strangely uplifting epilogue contributes metaphysical meat to the piece. More sensual qualities, meanwhile, are provided by Potter’s typically acute sensitivity to music, dance, colour and movement. A real treat.

Author: GA

Time Out London Issue 1824: August 3-10 2005

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