Search - Filth and Wisdom on DVD

Ein film von Madonna

JGC | 07/02/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

""Filth and Wisdom" is Madonna's 2008 directorial movie debut. If you're looking for this film and stumbled upon this page don't worry because there is a US DVD that is out now. You can find it at the Blockbuster Web site. They are the current official/only distributor of the DVD in the US. Although their DVD is a previously viewed copy I don't think anyone would mind as it's available now and less than the DVD on this page. There's also a Canadian DVD and a region 1 DVD from Japan, however these are each more expensive and this site isn't offering either one. (They are selling the French region 2 DVD, however that will not play on most US machines.)

In 1993 after 2 of the most abominable movies of her entire career premiered ("Body of Evidence" and "Dangerous Game") Madonna brazenly said, "I want to direct." 15 years later her wish came to fruition. Besides some commercials in '07, this was her first big production as a director, or is it dictator?

The basic premise of this movie, not to mention Madonna's huge overdone allegory is that everyone has to "travel down the road of filth and wisdom." Included in the film are 2 plots, with the same goals, but different paths for each. Perhaps it would have been more palpable if "Filth and Wisdom" wasn't a low-grade B (or Z?) film, at best. The shoddy cinematography, audio and script (which incidentally Madonna also wrote) are proof of that.

Although I enjoyed some aspects of this film (there were a couple funny lines), overall I found it very bland and not very entertaining. The entire story is an exaggerated cliche which includes one of the countless "messages" that Madonna has rubber stamped on all of her recent projects over the last 10 years. But if you're a fan of Madonna's music (let's be honest, only her fans are interested in this movie) you'll be glad to know that her '92 songs "Erotica" and "Secret Garden" are included on the soundtrack.

Incidentally, Madonna produced another message-in-a-bottle film in '08; the beneficent "I Am Because We Are." If you're looking for that one, it was only released online and through on-demand cable outlets, at no charge. The only way to get it on a hard copy DVD is to purchase a region 2 version that was put out in Turkey.

It is true that if Madonna did not direct/produce "Filth and Wisdom" no one would have ever seen it, nor would it have premiered throughout Europe and Japan (to very poor reviews by the entire film community). But Madonna is a huge name that attracts viewers. If this film is any reflection of her talents as a director she certainly shouldn't quit her day job yet.

Isn't it the height of nerve and gall and hilarity for an actress who never received success as a modern thespian to now all-of-a-sudden become a director? But I suppose there is no other performer who is as nervy or ballsy as the one and only Madonna."

Better than expected

Williamsworth | 09/28/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being a fan of Gogol Bordello and seeing Eugene Hutz's brilliant performance in his debut film of the compelling Everything Is Illuminated, I wanted to see what else he's capable of on the screen, though I went in without high expectations. I think Madonna at the helm of this project instilled that hesitation in me. I found the acting good, and the story intriguing. Three roommates are trying to find their niche in society like we all are. What will they do to find what they are looking for? Most anything, and the audience follows along on their journey."

Madonna as filth and wisdom

M. Mas | los angeles, CA USA | 07/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As always Madonna gives to us something unique and original. This first directorial proved that. The movie is about dreams and the difficulties to get them. looking forward to have it on DVD, I saw IT IN NEW YORK. Hope we can see more of her in this genera. Best to the Queen of Pop."

Wow This Was Bad

Daniel G. Lebryk | 03/24/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"An hour and twenty one minutes, well shot film, with virtually no point. This film tried to be edgy, new wave, and controversial; instead it was simply bad.

The character list is about all anyone needs to know about this film. A cross-dressing, dominatrix, Russian version of Borat faces the camera periodically and talks to the viewer. He tries to make some point about the hell and heaven, how filth and wisdom are two sides of the same coin. He makes his living by dressing up and degrading men. A ballet dancer becomes a stripper. A pharmacy assistant steals pills and is obsessed with starving African children. A pharmacist lusts after his assistant and does unmentionables to her coat. A blind poet lives downstairs. In the end, they all live happily ever after.

This film goes absolutely no where. The point about filth and wisdom being polar opposites or the two sides of a coin is just not fleshed out.

The film is directed and co written by Madonna. It seems like she is trying to paint a picture of three people living together in a house, with their individual problems and difficult lives, but how they are all related in some manner. The film tries way too hard to be something intelligent.

The cinematography is excellent. This is a very well shot film, save one ridiculous shaky handheld camera moment when the blind poet throws all his books on the floor. The lighting is excellent. Sound is surprisingly well recorded, several squeaking doors sound very real in the surround channels. The music is absolutely abysmal, such a surprise considering Madonna's real calling. The pacing is good, the story moves along at a decent pace. The real problem is in the script.

The film is not rated but would be R for strong language. There is no nudity, a lot of underwear, but no naked bits. And very sadly, this is the real problem. The B&D scenes are particularly lame, real stunt people never did any of the hitting or stunts. Canings, beltings, and kicking's never come anywhere near the recipient, they are almost funny.

I disliked this film. It should be a good independent film, and I love to support that part of the industry. This just comes off as a film made by somebody with more money than sense.
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