Hideous Kinky: Movie, DVD Review (2009)

Gillies MacKinnon’s “Hideous Kinky” is neither hideous nor kinky, which is certain to disappoint some as it stars Kate Winslet in her first film since she took off her clothes and went down on the “Titanic.”

In “Kinky,” Winslet once again sheds her inhibitions (and her clothes) as Julia, a hippy English hippie of 1972 in search of personal and spiritual guidance, something this elusive, uneven film doesn’t make sufficiently clear until midway through.

With her two daughters, Bea (Bella Riza) and Lucy (Carrie Mullan), reluctantly in tow, Julia travels to Marrakech, where she falls in love with a brooding street performer named Bilal (Said Taghmaoui), nearly loses Bea to illness and is forced to grow up.

Sparked by Winslet’s excellent, unaffected performance, “Hideous Kinky” is a rich, visual pleasure that moves to its own free-swinging, staccato rhythm --one that effectively captures the chaotic feel of the times even while it slightly undermines the film’s power.

Still, its cast is strong, particularly Winslet, who is luminous, a natural, gifted actress always worth watching. Just as her previous performance in “Titanic” it even as the ship sank, it keeps “Hideous Kinky” afloat.

Grade: B