Wednesday 25 June 2008

EIFF: The Third Pint - Review by Miriam Ross



Director: Luciano Podcaminsky
Running Time: 70 mins

It is quite disconcerting to see an Argentine man pass himself off as British with a terrible English accent but this is the core of Luciano Podcaminsky’s The Third Pint. With a straight face and quite obviously fake accent, protagonist David Maitt explains that he was born of British parents and spent most of his life in London before becoming invisible during his third pint of beer. This ridiculous premise allows the film to develop into a much more subtle but equally amusing version of Borat where the gaze is turned onto British culture. Shots of the royal guard, red buses and black cabs form what David calls the “typical images from my city” and his very English mother is certain everything can be solved with a cup of tea. The only downfall to this otherwise enjoyable film is the rambling and circular nature of David’s constant monologues.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think the Borat reference is somewhat misleading - it's not only about looking at the British, but about paying attention to the world and to other people. Disappearance here is selflessness - thus the film's 'lack of focus' (the narrative is in no rush to get anywhere) is a pretty good way to convey that lack of personal centre. For the character it is a liberating experience, and I think for the spectator too.