Play for Today: The Kiss of Death (1977)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   In The Kiss of Death, Capaldi-lookalike David Threlfall is Trevor, a young man with no real experience with girls, set up with one by his best mate's girlfriend who, frankly, has had enough of him playing third wheel. Her own boyfriend is only barely less feckless. This is probably relatable to as many men as women. The ambivalence of being with someone you didn't really choose, who is "leading the dance" so to speak, intimidating, but also opening the door to experiences you don't have, but perhaps fear out of potential humiliation. Or on the other side of the equation, the frustration provoked BY that ambivalence. We're not really in Trevor's head because he's rather subverbal, so like many Leigh films, it's about picking up the clues from mannerisms and expressions. And for a director I'd call the chronicler of people with downturned mouths, Kiss of Death is lighter by virtue of seeing a lot of smiles, some expectant, some shy, some nervous to the point of disaster, but smiles nonetheless. 1 year 3 months ago

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