O Expresso de Marrakesh

A young English mother, Julia (Kate Winslet), packs up her two daughters, aged 5 and 7, moves to Morocco and embarks on a voyage of self discovery. Set in 1972, the film catches up with Julia and kids nine months into their trip. We're never told why she left London, but her artist-husband back home has just stopped providing the rent checks. This is putting a crimp in the self-awareness game. In the process of surviving and searching for Sufic fulfillment, Julia must also deal with her children's growing disenchantment with life in Morocco, and their desire to return to a stable, normal (and English) childhood. Family friction increases when she takes a young Moroccan lover, and a group of wealthy English ex-pats start second guessing Julia's childrearing abilities.

There is no big story here, no buildup of drama, and no real endgame. "Hideous Kinky" is a study of the family dynamics amongst this odd troupe. The acting is very good, especially the two children, and the on-location filming in Morocco is a treat. This film is definitely not for everyone, but if you are in to this type of movie, you should enjoy it. The single word that I would use to describe "Hideous Kinky" is 'honest'.

Kate Winslet and her young co-stars are charming in this film. The children have some priceless scenes which are faultlessly acted and leave you wishing that you could encounter such vibrant children in real life instead of the ones prone to throwing tantrums in crowded shopping malls.

The story drifts all over the place - more of a string of events meandering along in search of a purpose, much like Winslet's character. The scenery is stunning, the colours of Morrocco vibrant and the glimpse into another culture is well executed. A fine film to watch if you want visual stimulation, but don't wish to concentrate on a complex story.

'Hideous Kinky' initially gives the impression of being a movie about a woman's adventurous and spiritual journey when it is actually about her journey to self-discovery. MacKinnon captures the landscape of Marrakech beautifully. The wild exotic culture looks authentic. The cinematography and music blend superbly with the overall mood of the film. The director makes the viewer feel like a silent observer and travelling companion of Julia and her children. I loved how her relationship with Bilal was portrayed as a beautiful friendship based on love, compassion, kindness and in the end, sacrifice. Kate Winslet does a phenomenal job once again. Said Taghmaoui does an equally convincing job but unfortunately, he still remains an underrated actor typecast in terrorist roles. It's a pity that Hollywood does not offer this actor much else to do. Child actors Bella Riza and Carrie Mullan deliver some of the better performances by child actors. 'Hideous Kinky' is an adventurous movie in the true sense of the genre. It's not an 'Indiana Jones' or 'Pirates of the Caribbean' type experience but rather something more layered, subtle and profound. Think of a kinky summer holiday about self examination somewhere exotic and less known.

People who find the story "weak" "incomplete" "meandering" "frustrating" are missing the point there. The whole hippie travel experience was by definition all of the above so the film depicts very accurately what a woman of 25 in 1972 in Morocco with a local boyfriend would have been experiencing. The local colour is extremely well depicted as is the relationship between Julia and Bilal. Also the daughters not wanting any of it Sufi master or not; as it happened to so many commune kids from that period who left to take up merchant banking or join the army; most kids like order and not aimless wandering; so again: accurate depiction ... the film is by no means a masterpiece but it is nonetheless excellent and for anyone too young to remember the turn of the 70s a useful timetravel tool ... and yes all the acting is first-class here: The kids; Kate; all the Moroccan actors.

Sorting out my thoughts about this movie is tricky since I did read the book and it's hard to forget it.

The book has the distinction of being narrated by the younger sister and so a crucial part of the book's identity is lost. But I think this is for the best since it instead chooses to tell its story visually rather than use an annoying narrator to tell us what we can see. A first person novel is incredibly intimate while a movie (when made like a movie, not a book) has the advantage of a certain aloofness and there is something voyeuristic in the cool pacing and candour of this story.

There is a much stronger character in the mother here as someone on a quest for spirituality but not sure what kind of spirituality. The focus is on the family and isn't centred on the little girl so much.

The on location filming is beautiful even if it could have given us more in terms of local colour.

Overall I enjoyed this breezy movie about people on an indeterminate path in life and trying to find identity in exotic lands and how this doesn't turn out as will as you hope. The light touch is much appreciated and the sense of intimacy of the family is evident from their physical interaction. The little girl strolls dressed in nothing but underpants to cuddle with Mom; later she slides up close to Mum making love with her Muslim lover.

At it's core a little disquieting but ultimately warm experience.