A Bad Connection

 Two more movies that have been dwelling in my queue for the better part of the millennium finally inched to the top:

THE HOLY GIRL (2004) (A-minus) - This fascinating observance of human nature turns the table on the story of the schoolgirl and the creep. This gem from Argentina is from Lucretia Martel, who would go on to make "The Headless Woman" and "Zama."

Sixteen-year-old Amalia (Maria Alche) becomes infatuated with Dr. Jano (Carlos Belloso), who is in town at a medical convention being held at the rundown hotel owned by Amalia's family. Amalia is introduced to Dr. Jano while in a crowd after he luridly rubs his crotch up against her. Miffed but not repulsed, she doesn't play a victim's role but rather shows concern for Dr. Jano's perversion. 

Meantime, Amalia's mother, Helena (Mercedes Moran), oblivious to the intrigue, welcomes what she takes as Dr. Jano's flirtations. And that's the game. The three actors do the rest. Alche imbues Amalia with both longing and playfulness, as she frolicks with a best friend but longs to be part of the adult world. 

INTIMACY (2001) (C+) - A modern concept -- two adults get together once a week for a zipless, wordless tryst -- never gets off the ground in this acting class by a young Mark Rylance. Jay is a failed musician, trying to run a bar, and is getting over the callous dumping of his wife and kids. He turns to Claire (Kerry Fox) for their Wednesday romps in his dumpy London bachelor pad. 

When Jay gets curious about Claire's life, obvious complications ensue. He gets to know her husband, Andy (veteran character actor Timothy Spall), and their son while attending Claire's small theater gigs. Side stories between Jay and his acquaintances muddy the waters.

Director Patrice Chereau worked the script with Anne-Louise Trividic, adapting the stories of Hanif Kareishi ("Venus," "My Beautiful Laundrette"), and something gets lost in the translation here. Rylance and Fox don't have adequate chemistry, and it gets to be a chore watching these two mopes snipe over what looks like unsatisfying sex. The chopped-up Anglo-rock soundtrack (David Bowie, Nick Cave) is a distraction. In the end, it all falls flat.