Eccentricities Of A Blond Hair Girl

The tireless Manoel de Oliveira, now over 100 years old, can trace his directorial career back to the silent era. His newest film, an adaptation of a 19th century short story, is easily one of his most enjoyable in recent times. The premise is simple: while on the train, a man recounts his tale of love and woe to a receptive middle-aged lady. His object of desire? The titular blond-haired girl. Though fable-like, droll and brief, the intellectual heft makes this surprising tale both modern and anachronistic.