In 1998, Sky Television began to broadcast a weekly film programme called Movietalk, presented by Richard Jobson, former lead singer of The Skids (and now a writer-director in his own right). The format was like a chat-show, in which Jobson talked to invited guests – film writers, distributors and at least one well-known name from the movie world. We were sat in a circle and encouraged to lob comments into the fray.

Making up things on the spot has never been my forte, but I did OK on the first show, about blockbusters, and was invited along a couple of times after that. The best and most memorable show was this one about Film Criticism, because it assembled three very different kinds of film writer – the late Alexander Walker of the Evening Standard, Jonathan Romney, then of the Guardian, and myself, then film critic of the Sunday Telegraph, and confronted them with actor and film-maker, sorry, all-round genius and Renaissance Man, Vincent Gallo, whose Buffalo ’66 had just been released.

I think I’m pretty lame here, but then argument or open debate has never been my strong suit; I much prefer writing angry letters or composing sarcastic emails from the safety of my own home. Also, my face looks like a big fat moon, and my mouth looks weird and tiny; either they should have supplied me with some film noir shadows to give me cheekbones, or I should have applied some face-shaping blusher or something. However, because I think this clip is of historical – not to mention hysterical – interest, I’m being selfless and posting it anyway.

Richard Jobson told me afterwards that behind the scenes Gallo had called me a “Commie lesbian witch” and asked him for my telephone number.

Click on the pic below to see the full clip. The entire show is about 27 minutes long.

 

 

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