Dirty Filthy Love

The genre, Movies of the Afflicted, generally suffers from too much sentiment and too little cash. This TV production holds its own as a TV movie from the production standpoint. A bit choppy. A few too many loose ends, even for those of us without acute OCD. However, the efforts of Michael Sheen and Shirley Henderson give this film a lot of genuine heart. A somewhat sentimental portrayal perhaps, but with a sincerity that cannot be outweighed. The good that a production like this can do more than justifies the value of the project from the get-go, but this production manages to play better than a manual, aimed at adolescents. I think there is something truly unique in the British tradition of acting that raises productions like these a peg or two above their American equivalents.

This unusual movie was very well done, but overlong. The story arc is predictable, but the journey is worth the ride.

The odd camera angles do indeed help us feel Mark's discomfort. Even in casual conversations we alternate between overly tight head shots and very long shots; the camera never allows us to become comfortable with the situation.

I disagree with Missipecac in one area only. This film does indeed directly laugh at, and allow us to laugh at, the traits of OCD. I noticed, however, that this only happened between OCD sufferers. The outsiders in the film never laughed. They were always uncomfortable, frightened, distant, or confused. And the viewer was never given the opportunity to laugh in these situations.

It was only when the OCD sufferers could let their guard down and laugh (instead of crying) that the viewer could laugh along with them.

The predictableness of the plot did make for a movie that was too long. It could have been a good 10-15 minutes shorter. Even so, there was one obvious reference to a scene that was cut that I found quite jarring.

I was a spouse of a person with a major mental illness (not OCD). I would have liked to see the wife drawn a bit more fully. There were hints at her underlying sadness, regret, and guilt, but only the tiniest of hints.

I think this movie is a MUCH better examination of OCD than As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson. That movie was insufferably cute. In Dirty Filthy Love, even when you laugh at OCD, you never, ever find it cute or quirky.

Dirty Filthy Love is one of the best films produced for British TV in 2004. Michael Sheen is a simply wonderful actor who will be BIG if he gets the breaks. As a man suffering from a marriage bust up compounded by Compulsive Obsessive Disorder and Tourette's, he injects a huge amount of pathos and humour into the role. Long after the film is over you will still be seeing Michael barking like a dog and swearing uncontrollably at complete strangers. It's a brave, touching and very funny film about a difficult subject told without artificial sentimentality, thoroughly recommended. When you've seen this, rush off to get Sheen in another little British gem 'Heartlands'.

I recently watched this film a few days ago and I must say, it really took me by surprise. At the start of the film, I cracked up at the main character's behavior and the deeper I got into the film, I realized that I know someone who has the same problem but not as severely. The main actor did so well with the twitching and facial movements it made me think of the person I know who does the EXACT same thing. You feel deeply what the character does and he truly wants to control his problem but needs to face reality that he has a mental illness(?). Definitely a movie worth watching and one that will get you thinking about people who suffer or handle their OCD/Tourette's Syndrome.

I note that, at the time of writing, this page recommends "Love Actually" if you liked "Dirty Filthy Love". People, please understand that the two are *not* alike--"Dirty Filthy Love" is *much* better! It has real people in it, and real comedy, and real heartbreak. And no blockbuster soundtrack with uplifting music on.

The two lead characters suffer from OCD and Tourettes, and meet at a support group. This sounds like it's going to be a very naff film, I know, which is why I was confused when my reliable Guardian TV guide raved on about how it was the treat of the year. But, as usual, they were right--this is a beautiful film with great comedy and great pain. Just of course, like real life. Amazingly, it's very sympathetic to sufferers.

Please, see this if you can, it's a great and moving indie film.