Xanadu

Some films operate entirely within their own world - The Room, Holy Mountain, Hausu. Films so singular they barely compare to anything else made in their era. Tonight we open the season with a film that deserves more mention in those conversations: the inimitable, unpredictable Xanadu (1980).

The cast: Olivia Newton-John as the Greek goddess Kira, Gene Kelly (in his final film role) as a former big-band clarinetist, and Michael Beck as a struggling illustrator. The latter two decide to open a club together - a plan that emerges almost immediately after they meet and proves nearly impossible to execute.

Xanadu is genuinely ridiculous, one of those "they don't make them like this anymore" films. The dialogue is at times a real ordeal, with vague rambling from a former clarinetist about his glory days. Then, almost immediately after, the film shifts into complete overdrive with song and dance, making it nearly impossible to keep up with what's happening. Douglas Carter Beane, author of the book for the musical based on the film, puts it this way: "When you watch Xanadu, you can feel the cocaine on the screen." Zeus also makes a brief appearance.

This is one you really have to experience yourself. We're celebrating being open weekly again - and Xanadu is a fitting start to that. - Ruben