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Thursday 03/10/11

12:45 AM Flix
Outrageous! (1977 CAN): And rather outrageous it once was, though such is no longer the case. This north-of-the-border drama stars female impersonator Craig Russell as gay hairdresser Robin, a drag performer hoping to bust out of the cozy confines of Canada and bring his act to the Big Apple. He takes the leap but in the process leaves behind schizophrenic and pregnant Toronto flatmate Liza (Hollis McLaren), whose family is threatening to institutionalize her, and things come to a head whilst Robin is treading the boards. The story is clumsily told and a wee bit predictable, but the leads are both excellent, the sexual politics reasonably progressive for the time, and Russell’s impersonations — of Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, and others — are pretty damn good.

6:15 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Age of Consent (1932 USA): Free love on America’s college campuses is the shocking subject of this creaky drama from director Gregory La Cava, of whom I usually expect a bit more substance. Dorothy Wilson stars as Betty Cameron, a State College co-ed whose relationship with fellow undergrad Michael Harvey (Richard Cromwell) threatens to damage his future career opportunities. It’s impossibly tame stuff, but Wilson brings a bubbly vivacity to her role and you’ll have fun trying to spot the very young Betty Grable, here wandering in the background as one of the young lovers’ fellow students.

4:00 PM Showtime 3
That Evening Sun (2009 USA): I haven’t seen That Evening Sun yet, but in late 2009 there was quite a bit of Oscar buzz surrounding star Hal Holbrook’s performance as an aging Tennessee farmer. That came to naught, but it can’t be denied that the octogenarian actor has been experiencing a bit of a career renaissance of late — he had previously garnered an Oscar nom for his outstanding performance in 2007’s Into the Wild — and all reports indicate he’s great here, too. I’m looking forward to catching up with That Evening Sun, and the good news is it’ll be airing frequently throughout the month — so check your local listings.

Friday 03/11/11

8:30 AM HBO Signature
Un Novio para Mi Mujer (2008 ARG): A man tries to get rid of his wife in unusual fashion in this slight but amusing comedy from Argentina. Adrian Suar plays Tenso, a mild-mannered sort whose wife Tana (Valeria Bertuccelli, not to be confused with Valerie Bertinelli) has the hottest temper south of the Panama Canal. Tenso’s best friend (Benjamin Amadeo) convinces him to hire a professional gigolo (Gabriel Goity) to seduce Tana and hopefully bring about a final break in their relationship, but he soon finds himself consumed with jealousy and not at all happy with his decision. Un Novio para Mi Mujer (A Boyfriend for My Wife) is more wry character study than full-blown rom-com, and Bertuccelli’s fiery performance won her the Best Actress gong at 2008’s Argentinian Academy Awards.

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