By Mary Montserrat-Howlett

NEW YORK (Hollywood Today/RushPRNews) 10/17/08–- On the tail of the recent divorce announcement of pop queen Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie — following months of rumors about her liaison with star Yankee third- baseman, A-Rod — the Material Girl makes her directorial debut in the off-beat film “Filth and Wisdom” that hits theaters across North America today.

“Filth and Wisdom” is the story of three roommates who delve into the dark side of city life, trying to make a name in London. The film boasts a jamboree of eclectic characters turn social misfits; the pill-popping pharmacy assistant; a wannabe ballerina forced through poverty to work at a lap-dancing club; and a Ukrainian punk-poet who earns a few bob humiliating masochists while wearing ex-Soviet military garb in his ratty bedroom.

Following its premiere the film received promising reviews from the London Times saying; “Madonna has done herself proud” and “Her film has an artistic ambition that has simply bypassed her husband, the film director Guy Ritchie”. According to its distributor IFC Films, “Filth and Wisdom is every bit as erotic and playful as it is poignant and touching, revealing the universal struggles we all face in our pursuits of happiness.”

The film, written by Dan Caden is also co-written by the pop singer and stars Eugene Hutz, Holly Weston, Vicky McClure and Richard E. Grant. Filmed on location in London last year, it premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival nine months ago, receiving mixed reception from critics.

But not everyone has jumped on board that train yet. A critic at the Telegraph described the film as “not an entirely unpromising first effort” but added “Madonna would do well to hang on to her day job,” while another Brit critic says “”Filth and Wisdom is a good-humored, averagely average vanity project” and “a cheap and cheerful comedy,” but states that “Madonna simply cannot direct actors.”

But will bad reviews be the downfall to the pop singer’s future film projects? Don’t count on it. Captivating the world with her many personas and her wild productions, Madonna’s success has been unparalleled with an estimated 250 million albums and 150 million singles sold world-wide; founding her own entertainment company, Maverick, consisting of a record company (Maverick Records), a film production company (Maverick Films), and also music publishing, television, merchandising and book-publishing divisions.

Most likely, she will go down in history as one of the greatest divas of postmodern pop, involved in charitable causes, including volunteering with organizations that help orphans in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, by providing water, food, medical care and schooling. Not to mention the greatly controversial adoption of her Malawian son David, finalized last year.

This is a tough cookie. No matter what the critics say, it is likely that fans will stick by her side.

Release Date: 17 October 2008 (USA)
Rating: Film is not yet been rated
Distributor: IFC Films
Photo AFP

Dan Bloom collaborated to this report.

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