Conversation Piece

Conversation Piece

***1/2

Reviewed by: James Benefield

Most of Conversation Piece's considerable charm is in the excavation of the soundtrack, a 1966 jazz improv piece by Rex Stewart. The film takes its title from the track – where duelling brass (including Stewart's cornet) come together to form what sounds like a conversation between a man and a woman.

This is literalised in Joe Tunmer and Enrico Tessarin's film. Celia Imrie and John Henshaw are the ageing couple arguing over a chipped vase. Who did it? When did it happen? And who's going to fix it? These are some of the questions which may or may not be asked in the film's seven minutes; we don't know, as the lyric-free jazz improv is all we hear.

It's not a new idea. From Morecambe and Wise to Michel Gondry's music video for the Chemical Brothers' Star Guitar, there's a history of skits in which music and visuals come together in glorious accident. But here's it done with enough with humour, panache and clever editing to justify a watch.

Reviewed on: 26 Jul 2010
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A couple argue over a chipped vase.
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Director: Joe Tunmer

Writer: Joe Tunmer

Starring: John Henshaw, Celia Imrie

Year: 2009

Runtime: 7 minutes

Country: UK

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