Dir: Liliana Cavani | Cast: Mickey Rourke, Helena Bonham Carter | Italy, Docudrama, 157’
A film by the director of ‘The Night Porter’ starring Mickey Rourke – depicted as less of a tree-hugger but complete with obligatory skinny-dipping scene – as Francis of Assisi might sound like a grotesque joke, and ‘Francesco’ certainly generated more headlines than ticket sales over the controversy worked up by the papers when they collectively threw up their hands in outrage at reports that Rourke had donated his proceeds from this film to the IRA.
It can’t be denied that ‘Mental Mickey’ – as the tabloids were quick to label him – was idiosyncratic casting as Francis, and Cavani wasn’t exactly known for her quiet taste and restraint, but Helena Bonham Carter brings grace to a supporting role and it isn’t quite the embarrassment you might have anticipated. Although it certainly does try. ©️Richard Chatten