Mister Lonely

Writer of Kids and director of Gummo and Julien Donkey-Boy, Harmony Korine has made a career over the past decade of delivering highly idiosyncratic independent films that are either admired or loathed. Though his latest film still fits that description, Mister Lonely will likely see a wider audience because of its more conventional, straightforward approach. The focus is the title character, a South American refugee living in Paris who is a Michael Jackson impersonator (Diego Luna). During a nursing home assignment, he falls for a Madonna impersonator (Samantha Morton) and joins her at a remote Scottish commune populated by other impressionists, including her jealous Charlie Chaplin-lookalike hubby (Denis Lavant) and Shirley Temple clone daughter (Esme Creed-Miles). Mister Lonely is a fanciful meditation on identity that manages to be charming, challenging and confounding in equal parts.

Shelf Talk: Korine and box-office results do not necessarily mix, but there will be enough curiosity seekers to establish this as a cult item on DVD. Unlike the filmmaker’s other works, Mister Lonely had a limited theatrical run around the country. Also, mention to cinephiles that the film features an extended cameo from director Werner Herzog as a priest who has nothing to do with the proceedings.