Hideous Kinky [DVD] [1999]

Here, Kate Winslet plays Julia, a twenty five year old young mother of two children, nine year old Bea, stunningly acted by Bella Riza, and her younger sister, Lucy, charmingly played by Carrie Mullen. They abandon their structured, staid life in London, when Julia decides to leave their father to go to Marrakech in Morocco, then the capitol of the disaffected, in search of spiritual enlightenment.

Taking her children, Julia goes on an adventure, an adventure to which Lucy, the younger of her two daughters, takes to almost immediately. Nine year old Bea, on the other hand, begins to yearn for a more "normal", structured life. Julia, however, will have none of it. Living in a Moroccan slum with her girls, she romanticizes their existence.

Julia becomes involved with Bilal, a street performer of sorts, who looks out for them. Wonderfully acted by Said Taghemaoui, Bilal charms Julia and her daughters. He cannot, however, support them, and they cannot support themselves. This becomes clear as they begin a rag tag journey into the Moroccan country side.

Sooner, rather than later, reality sets in. The adventure wears thin on Bea who becomes estranged from her mother. The harsh reality of every day life confronts Julia, who ultimately realizes that traipsing around Morocco just puts her young daughters at risk. Unfortuntely, this realization does not occur to her until she almost loses Bea to illness. It is then that Bilal steps up to home plate and gives them the means to return. They leave Marrakech to begin their journey home, taking with them enough memories to last a lifetime.

This is a wonderful movie with exceptional cinematography. A virtual travelogue of Moroccan life, it is a visual feast that is sure to delight those who have a hankering for faraway, exotic places and a thirst for adventure

I watched this film alone, which I think is the best way to watch any film not revolving around guns, explosions and one liners. With this, I could engage in Julia's dreams and to be equally dismayed when they lose their glow. I think if you do it right, you can go on their journey with them and any film which can do that, is working.

It's supurbly acted, from Kate and Said, but more excitingly, by the two girls whose acting is unprecedented. It's a absolutely brilliant film, and the ending must move you in some way, please.

It is an unusual, 'arty' film in comparison to the main stream, that at face value, appears to have a vague story-line - But there is - so much depth to this story!

You have to allow yourself to be seduced by the films simplicity and beauty, colour and innocence. You can soak it up - like a living piece of art. The characters and story are completely enchanting. How wonderful to drop everything and up sticks like Julia did. It is inspiring!

The film is delicate, intricate, sensual and wonderful, truly wonderful. Kate Winslet and Said Taghmaoui are fabulous in the film, as are the children - brilliant young actresses - very natural - they make you remember what it was like to be young and full of ideas and games and silly made-up songs.

The soundtrack is haunting and nostalgic - a fabulous film that anyone with a kind heart and a travellers' spirit will embrace and cherish for ever.

Thank you Esther Freud and Gillies MacKinnon!...