Just glancing through the couple of dozen IMDb reviews for this film, it is clear that there are as many 'hates' as 'loves' and almost nobody who thinks its just okay. A 'Marmite' movie you might say and perhaps with good reason. Why did I sit watching with a grin on my face throughout and a warm feeling despite some of the undoubted silliness and such a strange and varied performance from Candy-like Genevieve Waite? Almost inexplicable and yet there is something inherently charming and likeable abut something clearly created with much love that refuses to conform to one's expectations. Take the performance of Donald Sutherland. It is crazy. He is trying to be some blue-blooded English aristo but he can't really even do an ordinary English accent that well. It sounds like a joke impersonation complete with stuttering and elongated vowels but it is clear that he is having the time of his life. It is a wonderful performance through which it seems the viewer is glimpsing something of the actual person, despite the non traditional acting style (or because of it). There are some beautifully shot scenes, some mind boggling dialogue, lots of pretty girls and absolutely stacks of even prettier clothes. The music is varied and well selected and all in all the movie seemed to me a sheer delight. Sarne showed great promise here and the movie was not a disaster, that was the fate of his next (Myra Breckinridge - which I also liked) and that was it for the poor guy. Great shame but at least we have this perfect gem of a souvenir from that funny old year,1968.
Review of Joanna
