Siesta

Siesta is a most atmospheric film, almost dreamlike, you feel the Spanish heat while Ellen Barkin is stumbling through the pictures in confused despair. She wakes up lying on the roll way of an airport, not knowing where she is or how she got there. Her red dress is full of blood and she starts running... From there, an odyssey begins for her, with strongly impressive scenes of -not only sexual- passion. A bit confusing for the first time watching because of all the flashbacks, when you watch the film a second time you can really enjoy it. Many stunning actors, who appear to join Ellen without really helping her situation, only dragging her deeper in confusion. A surprising end, all of a sudden you begin to understand what happened to Ellen and why she lost her memory. This film left such a strong impression on me that i still recommend it to all of my friends and other movie fans.

Not to everyone's taste I appreciate, but whilst it is undeniably flawed, I always enjoy watching this movie. Ellen Barkin is at her sexy peak, Gabriel Byrne smoulders confidently and if Isabella Rossellini is a little underused, Julian Sands turns in one of his really quirky performances that leaves you open mouthed and smiling, if that's possible. I feel Martin Sheen is a little out of control and Grace Jones barely there but Jodie Foster really lets her hair down and Alexi Sayle has the time of his life and gives the film some edge. Clearly director Lambert is happier with rock videos but she has a keen visual eye and I just think this has enough to keep anyone amused/excited as long as you don't take it too seriously. Fun.

This is an odd movie. In places there doesn't seem to be much of a plot, and many of the characters are....well, odd. Essentially, the story is about Ellen Barkin's character, Claire, attempting to get to an airport in Spain in time to return to the US for a daredevil stunt she's supposed to perform. Why the hurry? Well, she came to Spain to look up an old boyfriend.... I don't want to give too much away. Claire's attempts to get to the airport run into obstacles...peculiar obstacles. In places the movie has the same frustrating feel to it as a dream in which one continually tries to do something, but somehow nothing quite works out. There's a supporting cast with some big names in it, but just keep your eyes on Ellen Barkin, as those other characters come and go. There's an interesting use of mythology in the movie, but I'm not entirely certain that it was deliberate. In places the pacing seems a bit slow, but overall I think it's very watchable

'Siesta' is one of the most underrated film of the 80's. I can understand why some people hate it, but I would urge everyone to see it, because if you do and like it, you will end up loving it. It has stayed in my head for over 10 years from just 3 viewings and truly is an experience and if anybody works out the true meaning of the film, please fill me in.

Alongside the film you also get a truly exceptional soundtrack from Miles Davis no less. I bought the cassette the same time I saw the film and continue to play it.

The minute anyone hears of this coming out on DVD, please tell me and I would like two questions to be answered

1. Why does Ellen Barkin not work more? she is a fantastic actress

2. How did Mary Lambert end up directing so many bad films after this?

think it would be quite hard to include spoilers as few people seem to agree on what happened anyway. Roger Ebert's review seems very different than a version I have just seen, it must have been recut to make more sense at some point.

I saw a this at a London test screening and the only clear memory is the beauty of Ellen Barkin and Marcus Miller and Miles Davis's music.

This may be a spoiler but it is for the good of humanity, I never want to see the pus ugly oaf Alexei Sayle ever again, in any context, never mind sexual.

For the gentlemen who asked about Bennie Maupin on bass clarinet, this is bassist/ composer (and mo fo) Marcus Miller