14 May 2008

Having made his filmmaking name as the first officially sanctioned American Dogme 95 director with Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy, Harmony Korine has been a little quiet on the international circuit, but that should be put right by his most recent film, Mister Lonely, a poignant, visually playful and humorous love story.

In Paris, a Michael Jackson impersonator (Diego Luna) earns a living as a lonely street performer. However at a retirement home, he meets a Marilyn Monroe (Samantha Morton) look-alike and she invites him to join an impersonators commune in the Scottish Highlands. He joins in the preparations of a big gala party at their castle, populated by Abe Lincoln, Madonna, Sammy Davis Jr, as well as Marilyn's daughter Shirley Temple and her jealous husband, Charlie Chaplin (Denis Lavant). However, Michael's arrival has tragic consequences for Marliyn.

With cinematography by Korine regular Marcel Zyskind and music from Spiritualized's Jason Spaceman and The Sun City Girls, Mister Lonely is an exploration of the eccentric world of lost souls that sees Marilyn Monroe sharing screen time with fellow screen actors and historical figures such as Abe Lincoln, the Pope and the Queen. And watch out for flying nuns on BMX bikes.

The cast alone is a major draw here and features a diverse range of performers, including Samantha Morton (Under the Skin, Control), Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Open Range), Denis Lavant (Mauvais Sang, Beau Travail) and our favourite maverick director Werner Herzog. James Fox and Anita Pallenberg are re-united for the first time since Performance, and there's even an appearance from someone called David Blaine...

Mister Lonely is to be released on UK DVD by Tartan on 28th July 2008 at the RRP of £19.99. The disc will feature an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby 2.0 stereo, Dolby 5.1 surround and DTS surround soundtracks. No extras are expected.