Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard (director)
(studio)
12A (certificate)
73 (length)
09 May 2025 (released)
4 d
Inspiration for anything can strike at any time and in any form. For Icelandic singer/songwriter Emilíana Torrini it was the letters of Geraldine Flower.
A suitcase of letters were discovered by her daughter and husband after Geraldine’s passing. What they read were love letters from the 1960’s and 70’s. Passionate, written with wit and a joy for life the letters inspired their friend Emilíana to base an album of songs around them.
This film takes the songs and the letters weaving them with band studio performances, filmed sections and actors reading the letters and in Miss Flower’s case (Caroline Catz) talking to Torrini in character.
Directed by the very experienced Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard there are no shortage of ideas on how to present the letters and the music. At its simplest Catz reads Flower’s letter while Nick Cave, Richard Ayoade, Alice Lowe, Siggi Baldursson, Mark Monero, Niall Murphy and Angus Sampson have their parts either reading or providing background information. The voice of Sophie Ellis-Bextor also features.
The musical presentation is more complicated with the band filmed playing in the studio or rehearsal room, while some songs are more towards video clips with dancers and performances from Torrini herself in various guises.
The film is unapologetically a challenge for the viewer and for all the artists involved as this was a complex multi-media project. The impression is that with the letters and the music already done, there was a free reign allowed regarding their presentation. It appears that every idea pitched was used. The film therefore can be overwhelming, with some these elements not really working that well within the whole.
Nevertheless, the music is great, the images are striking and the readings bring Miss Flower’s words beautifully to life. It may not work entirely but there should be enough here to encourage people to explore both Geraldine Flower and Emilíana Torrini’s work and lives further.
The Extraordinary Miss Flower will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 9 May 2025.
