Get a Grip

Marianne Faithfull is the best reason to see 2007's Irina Palm, hands down.

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More About

• Marianne Faithfull
• Irina Palm
• Sam Garbarski
• Tivoli

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The premise of the movie, which opens today, sounds comic: The story revolves around Maggie (Faithfull), a middle-aged widow who gains local renown under her "stage name," Irina Palm, for her skill at anony-mously wanking off men through a hole in a sex-club wall. Unfortunately, the script's funny moments are juxtaposed with many disconcertingly melodramatic elements, including Maggie's motivation for going into the trade (she needs to raise money for an operation on her gravely ill grandson). Because director Sam Garbarski presents the latter material in a grimly realistic manner, the film moves in fits and starts that never quite satisfy. And yet somehow, Faithfull still delivers a memorable performance — one marked by subtlety and gravitas. Give that woman a hand.

Irina Palm screens at 4:45, 7:05 and 9:15 p.m. at Starz FilmCenter in the Tivoli; tickets are $6 to $9.50. Call 303-820-3456 or visit www.denverfilm.org for details.
April 25-May 1, 2008