Flirt

1995 Comedy

A lover, an ultimatum, a phone call, and a gun: these elements are found in each segment of Hal Hartley's Flirt, an experimental comedy-drama that essentially repeats the same story three times. But while the basic narrative remains the same -- a congenital flirt must decide whether or not to commit to a current lover, who otherwise will marry someone else -- the details differ greatly, from the location of the film to the gender of the participants. The initial segment, set in New York, tells the tale with a male flirt in turmoil over his relationship with a woman. The film then moves to Berlin, where the same drama is played out amongst a gay male couple, with an added touch of self-reflexive humor. The third and final episode takes place in Tokyo, with a female flirt and a more abstract cinematic approach, including several sequences in traditional Japanese pantomime. more..

Director: Hal Hartley

Starring: Bill Sage, Parker Posey,Martin Donovan, Dwight Ewell, Dominik Bender

Reviews

  • I liked Flirt better than any of Hartley's films since "Trust." The playfulness he shows here seems better integrated, more meaningful, than the strange narrative whimsies of 1992's "Simple Men" or 1994's "Amateur."

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • Flirt has its ups and downs, but it's certainly an intriguing ride.

    - Austin Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • For Hartley, the third time is definitely not the charm.

    - TV Guide

    26 April 2013

  • Like many other cultural experiments (minimalist art, "Finnegan's Wake," the Chicago Tribune's new Friday section), it is more amusing to talk about than to experience.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    26 April 2013

  • Flirt has its moments, and Ewell and Nikaidoh are auspicious additions to the Hartley rep company. But Flirt will appeal mostly to Hartley completists.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    26 April 2013

Awards

No awards