source: Siesta

Trailer—Siesta

Siesta

This film summarizes the essence of a journey called life. In its frames there is a thrill that keeps me on my toes. Every time I watch it I become emerged in the world of a seductress by the name of Ellen Barkin. Mary Lambert knows her craft. It is a witchcraft of the mind. Thanks to her talent we not only have Madonna (Madonna Ciccone) but we have a VISUAL/METAPHORICAL/MOOD masterpiece called SIESTA. This is a tour de force movie with a great cast. I wish talented people as such can get together again under the direction of M. Lambert and bring out another chef-d'euvres like this. PS. One wonders why this great film is not available on DVD.

'Siesta' is one of the most underrated film of the 80's. I can understand why some people hate it, but I would urge everyone to see it, because if you do and like it, you will end up loving it. It has stayed in my head for over 10 years from just 3 viewings and truly is an experience and if anybody works out the true meaning of the film, please fill me in. Alongside the film you also get a truly exceptional soundtrack from Miles Davis no less. I bought the cassette the same time I saw the film and continue to play it. The minute anyone hears of this coming out on DVD, please tell me and I would like two questions to be answered 1. Why does Ellen Barkin not work more? she is a fantastic actress 2. How did Mary Lambert end up directing so many bad films after this?

Convoluted, pretentious tripe by a dimwitted hack named Mary Lambert. Freshman year student filmmaking at its absolute worst. This is the type of abomination that usually destroys a director's career. Unfortunately, it didn't.

Ellen Barkin plays an American sky-diver in Spain who has apparently crash-landed, awakening bruised and disheveled and with memory loss; her attempts to get back to civilization are thwarted by a myriad of oddballs who paw at her like demons from Hell. What might have been an interesting, artistic treatise on purgatory has ended up stagnant and confounding in director Mary Lambert's hands. Perhaps with someone like David Lynch at the helm, "Siesta" may have drawn the viewer in not just with imagery but some haunting subtext as well. Lambert is only interested in externals--and, as a result, her film is portentous and shallow. Lots of talented people litter the cast, but only a handful of scenes (Barkin walking the high-wire above a crowd, her run-in with a deranged cabbie, and the well-staged finale) are astute or memorable. *1/2 from ****

One of the most erotic movies of the period. Barkin and Byrne, who were a real-life couple at the time, create a very steamy atmosphere. This is one of Ellen Barkin's best roles, so enjoy this wonderfully sexy actress. Byrne is also excellent in male sexiness department.

So many negative reviews and anecdotes about this film abound that I must speak out! I love this movie! It is thought-provoking, surreal, passionate and symbolic. My theory on why so many others have panned it is they don't have much awareness of concepts related to spiritualism, guardian angels or reincarnation and maybe don't enjoy movies that are multi-leveled and require thought. Watch it again!

Not to everyone's taste I appreciate, but whilst it is undeniably flawed, I always enjoy watching this movie. Ellen Barkin is at her sexy peak, Gabriel Byrne smoulders confidently and if Isabella Rossellini is a little underused, Julian Sands turns in one of his really quirky performances that leaves you open mouthed and smiling, if that's possible. I feel Martin Sheen is a little out of control and Grace Jones barely there but Jodie Foster really lets her hair down and Alexi Sayle has the time of his life and gives the film some edge. Clearly director Lambert is happier with rock videos but she has a keen visual eye and I just think this has enough to keep anyone amused/excited as long as you don't take it too seriously. Fun.