Leon the Pig Farmer

What's the point of this small gem?

It's about Leon (getting to know to) being somewhat different, based on his ancestry in contrast to the environment and society he lives, just because of some information, that doesn't necessarily need to influence his life, but still manages to push him into a process of self discovery.

While the first half shows Leons life as a modern jew, maybe comparable to how "The Nanny" did, later on. This culture gives the movie some known, solid background, but the story could get transposed to combinations of cultures and societies, without losing its statement.

Leons real struggle turns around his two lovers: one girl dreaming of an exciting partner and therefore not willing to commit to him, another one, that just loves to scandalize in her art and her loving.

The second half comes up with the absurd twist of the (impossible) hybrid being (which is never shown), making it a kind of allegory for Leon and starting some discussions, where british comedies do excel.

Apart from Conny Booth (Fawlty Towers!), Maryam D'Abo (fresh from the Bond) and (the then lesser known?) Gina Bellman the cast bears no big names, but overall matching, sympathetic acting. The pace of the story runs smooth.

I give it a 7, because it proves decent movie can be made with minimum fundings.

When even Woody Allen seems to have given up making overtly Jewish movies, Leon is a novelty. OK, some of the comedy borders on stereotype, but, I can tell you from experience, it's still true. The confusions of identity, culture, heritage etc are a ready source of sardonic wit. And it's not just a film for Jewish people either - anybody with experience of cultures centred around insane families will appreciate it. In my circle, Indians, Italians and the Irish seem to have a particular affinity. On a sadder note, the film features mark Frankel, whose untimely death was potentially a major loss to the Brit industry.

Very Simply this is my candidate for "Worst film ever made". It even makes Magnolia vaguely palatable. Stay clear if you see this on a video store shelf. There are many better ways to lose 90 minutes of your life than watch this.

Jewish guilt is not a topic that I see portrayed much in movies, but "Leon the Pig Farmer" does a good job with it. Leon Geller (Mark Frankel) is a Jewish estate agent in London who one day discovers that he was the product of artificial insemination; his real father is a pig farmer. Going off to meet his "other" family, Leon has more than a few surprises! They did an interesting job here. True, non-Jews might not get all the jokes, but it's funny nonetheless. And I guess that we sometimes forget that there ARE Jews in England. Anyway, you might see if you can find this movie. You'll probably like it.

Oh, and by the way, that one character was played by Burt Kwouk (Kato from the "Pink Panther" movies).

Poor Leon discovers a past that goes against everything that is Jewish. It takes a while for the story to kick start but once you get going, you fall into the flamboyance of the humour, enjoying the belly laughs, and maybe the dish as well.