Saturday January 12                       Sparkle                  15 certificate 104 mins UK, 2006     

Directed by Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger, Starring Bob Hoskins, Lesley Manville, Stockard Channing, Shaun Evans, Amanda Ryan

SPARKLE is a contemporary British comedy about life, love and relationships in the twenty first century, from the writer / directors of Lawless Heart – cinema regulars may recall seeing this gem in 2002.

Sam (Shaun Evans) lives in Liverpool with his mum Jill (Lesley Manville), an aspiring singer.  A bit of a chancer and a heartbreaker, he dreams of moving to London and living a more glamorous and lucrative life.  A chance meeting with Vince (Bob Hoskins) gives him the opportunity.  Soon Sam has moved into Vince’s spare flat in London - the only problem being that Jill insists on coming too. Sam meets Sheila (Stockard Channing), a powerful woman who runs a PR company.  Sam seduces her, and she gives him a job, but life gets complicated when he meets Kate (Amanda Ryan), and falls in love with her – he doesn’t realise just how complicated this relationship will prove.

A dry British humour prevents things from getting too sweet, and the actors are given the scope to explore the complexities and frailties of individually flawed characters. Stockard Channing makes a splendid Mrs Robinson figure, and Hoskins gives us what has been described as his most dexterous performance since Mona Lisa.

Sparkle has enjoyed critical acclaim in spite of its relative low profile: The Times described it as ‘a bittersweet joy’, for the Telegraph it was a sensational ‘charmingly wry metropolitan comedy’ and Sight and Sound applauded ‘the film’s eloquence, not restricted to dialogue...it speaks volumes without a word being uttered.”

We will be joined by the film’s producer, Martin Pope, who will talk to us about the making of the film and take questions from the audience. Join us for what should be a really enjoyable evening.

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