Irina Palm
A widowed grandmother enters London's sex industry to fund her grandson's treatment, discovering unexpected dignity, intimacy, and independence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- downbeat
- witty
- sentimental
- arthouse movie night
- adult comedy drama night
What critics said
Critics generally found Marianne Faithfull's compassionate performance and the film's realistic humanism appealing, while viewing its raunchy premise and sentimental script as uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Maggie's secret job at a Soho sex shop creates awkward, darkly comic encounters with her family and acquaintances.
Sixty-year-old widow Maggie learns a new trade and builds an identity independent of her family role.
Maggie enters sex work to raise money for her ill grandson Olly's medical treatment.
Dark hues and subdued lighting frame the Soho club and Maggie's domestic life as a downbeat slice-of-life drama.
Films like Irina Palm, and why
The Full Monty
shared black comedy, social taboo, and tender outsider perspective
Saving Grace
shared bittersweet working-class drama, unconventional employment, and warm humor
The Mother
shared mature romance, sexual frankness, and empathetic character study
Movie Details
- Director
- Sam Garbarski
- Release Date
- 2007-02-13
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (184)
Cast
- Marianne Faithfull
- Predrag 'Miki' Manojlović
- Kevin Bishop
- Siobhan Hewlett
- Dorka Gryllus
- Jenny Agutter
- Corey Burke
- Meg Wynn Owen
- Susan Hitch
- Flip Webster
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Irina Palm about?
- A widowed grandmother enters London's sex industry to fund her grandson's treatment, discovering unexpected dignity, intimacy, and independence.
- What is Irina Palm like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Irina Palm as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Irina Palm violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Irina Palm.
- What did critics think of Irina Palm?
- Critics generally found Marianne Faithfull's compassionate performance and the film's realistic humanism appealing, while viewing its raunchy premise and sentimental script as uneven.
- Which films are like Irina Palm?
- Films with a similar feel include The Full Monty, Saving Grace, and The Mother.
- How long is Irina Palm?
- Irina Palm runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Irina Palm?
- In United States, Irina Palm is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
