Click to read the article
Filth and Wisdom (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:54
Fresh:15
Rotten:39
Average Rating:4.1/10
Consensus: Filth and Wisdom, while certainly ambitious, is mostly unconvincing and incoherent.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for strong violence, pervasive language and brief drug content.
Runtime: 84 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Oct 17, 2008 Limited
Synopsis: Madonna's directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, is a hilariously sexy tale of three roommates who must delve into mischievous and naughty behavior in pursuit of bigger and brighter futures. A... Madonna's directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, is a hilariously sexy tale of three roommates who must delve into mischievous and naughty behavior in pursuit of bigger and brighter futures. A Ukrainian immigrant, A.K. (Eugene Hutz), finances his dreams of 'trans-continental superstardom' with his band, Gogol Bordello, by turning tricks as a role-playing cross dresser. As A.K. literally whips the privileged of London into shape, he also secretly pines for the object of his affection, Holly (Holly Weston), an aspiring ballerina looking for her big break while moonlighting as a slippery stripper. Meanwhile, Juliette (Vicky Mclure) steals medicine from her pharmaceutical job in hopes of quenching her dreams of helping Africa's youth. Filth and Wisdom is every bit as erotic and playful as it is poignant and touching, revealing the universal struggles we all face in our pursuits of happiness. --© IFC Films [More]
Starring: Eugene Hutz, Holly Weston, Vicky McClure, Richard E. Grant
Starring: Eugene Hutz, Holly Weston, Vicky McClure, Richard E. Grant
Director: Madonna
Director: Madonna
Screenwriter: Madonna, Dan Cadan
Producer: Nicola Doring
Studio: IFC Films
Get This Movie
Reviews for Filth and Wisdom
Madonna's direction isn't half-bad...too bad she chose a poor script teeming with uninteresting characters
Either Madonna failed to successfully guide her movie to a coherent state of mind or she simply has no gift for filmmaking. A case could be made for both, though the latter is an awfully tempting summarization of Filth and Wisdom.
This is a terrible, terrible worthless movie that you shouldn’t give any time to.
I'm confident the material girl has more good material for movies ahead of her.
If this were the first film of a 17-year-old who got a camcorder for his birthday...it could be called a promising first effort.
It's sweeter and sunnier than its material suggests, but not smarter.
Imagine having a philosophical discussion with Madonna. I imagine it would be like having one with any other high school dropout.
Madonna's directing debut shows that the megastar did not learn a lot about film craft and creates a routine, occasional amusing debut oeuvre. It should have been a more mature work and it is not.
Message to the director: Don’t quit your day job just yet, but in the category of multidisciplinary artists moonlighting as filmmakers, I’ll take you over Julian Schnabel any day.
As Bart Simpson once said of NAKED LUNCH, I can think of two things wrong with this title.
Curiosity-seekers may trickle in, but despite the deliberate move to release the flick unrated, there's nothing in here to merit a raised eyebrow.
At 83 minutes, it's tedious, pretentious, and just plain boring. I kept waiting for something to happen, but nothing does.
This is a movie that's just sort of there, and nobody much would have paid any attention to it without the Madonna connection. And chances are nobody much will even with that connection.
For an artist who has spent so much of her career reinventing herself to lead pop culture, not to mention fatten her pocketbook, Madonna seems at her most sincere behind this camera. She coaxes genuine moments from the three principals.
Latest News for Filth and Wisdom
October 05, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
More...
April 17, 2008:
IFC grabs Madonna's Filth and Wisdom ![]()
IFC has secured North American rights to Madonna's directorial debut, "Filth and Wisdom." More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Filth and Wisdom at Rotten Tomatoes
- Filth and Wisdom at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



