Tonie Marshall

The Venus Beauty Institute is opening up once more for our very great pleasure and well-being. New management, new staff and new clients. Also Venus now welcomes Apollo into her temple. Let’s make an appointment! In the snug, scented universe of the treatment rooms, confidences are exchanged, whispered or yelled while, outside, clouds and seasons pass by, carrying off with them crumbs of life. A comedy in pink and blue! Laughter, tears, intimate secrets and emotions mingle with the odour of hot wax, foutain-of-youth creams and other paraphernalia.

The producers of this French film took approximately 100 people, put them on a soundstage and had them improvise this film based on the premise that they are on a spaceship escaping from the dictators of earth and only have a few days to live. Improvisation is a dangerous art-form; unprepared amateurs invariably come up with gross caricatures when challenged to improvise. The actors' choices in this film include an allegorical pageant of the life of Jesus, a marriage, an orgy, and some genuinely affectionate moments. Nonetheless, as an experimental effort in large-group improvisation, the film is instructive. - Clarke Fountain, Rovi