Gardens in Autumn

There's a wonderful fluidity to Otar Iosseliani's Gardens in Autumn. It's the story of a French politician (Severin Blanchet) who departs from his post, leaving behind his pay packet, luxury apartment, wife and glossy mistress for a new life in what is essentially a squat, buffered by his ageing mother (an astounding Michel Piccoli in drag) and his drinking comrades.

And while the action does not run at a pace, it has grace, wit and a gleeful eye for the absurd. The story rambles happily from a coffin factory to a discussion on farm animals, to the mother's house and the Luxembourg Gardens.

It's surreal, yet joyous and gentle, full of slight gags rather than slick lines, and hinges upon two strong, sumptuous performances by Blanchet and Piccoli. Fabulous. ·