Skare

Michael J. Murphy serves us another piece of nano-budget British weirdness, and this is SO much more entertaining than some of his output that immediately preceded it. The Rite of Spring was pretty boring. This is a hoot.

Judith Holding ("Martha Tennant") gives it a good shot as the older woman who takes in a young mental patient named Dan. It's nice to see what is essentially enthusiastic amateurs go for it with a pulpy z-movie like this and give it 100%.

This vulnerable young man she takes in is muscular, good looking and in keeping with Michael J. Murphy's habit of casting and making scenes for young men who a) have their tops off and b) are muscular and up for a wrestle at some point.

Things take a turn, and a very amusing one. She's kind, and wants to give this young man a safe haven and some work. So she does, and tells him about her ownership of the local Country Club. She does well for herself, has a nice house and is a good cook. She harbours a bit of motherly love for Dan.

It goes so incredibly off the rails soon after. The Avon lady turns up (but it's Nova, Avon backwards) and the plot starts to thicken. As does the meat extract.

Highly recommend for fans of Michael J. Murphy. As I worked my way through the box set, I laughed at many points at the films - he made such entertaining fare, and I've developed a genuine affection for his work. This one gave me some of the most genuine laughs, not at the material but with it. Great fun.