Film Review: Fay Grim

If you like spy movies, espionage and international intrigue it is all here. But please note it is all tongue in cheek and a possible parody of the American scene. Parker Posey is absolutely delightful in her part as Fay. She was married to Henry Fool. He was an author and also had a secret criminal past. He has disappeared. Meanwhile Fay is trying to make ends meet and bring up her son, Ned. He is always in trouble at school and Mom seems to be supportive of his bad behavior. At one time Fay is called to the school because Ned has brought in a little gadget that shows pictures of orgies. Fay looks at it with great enjoyment. Later in the film she is seen lounging in a bath with a glass of wine and still watching the scenes in the gadget. Fay feels desperate in trying to bring up Ned. She relies on her brother Simon. The problem is that Simon is in jail for helping her husband Henry get out of the country. Special agents arrive at Fay’s house and tell her that her husband Henry is dead and has written some documents that they really want. Fay bargains for Simon’s release from jail and she sets out to find the hidden documents written by her husband. Her journeys include trips to France and other countries. Agents talk about secret agents from Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan and Cuba. There are shootings. There are bombings. There is intrigue. You just want to laugh out loud. It is all so ridiculous but done in great theatrical style. Most of the film is taken in grey, black and white tones to give a sense of an historical element. The actors play their parts with a straight face and I couldn’t help but wonder if they had a great time filming this spoof. The film was written and directed by Hal Hartley.