Pote tin Kyriaki

English title: Never on Sunday

Genre: romantic comedy (in black and white)

With: Melina Mercouri (Ilya), Jules Dassin (Homer Thrace), Giorgos Foundas (Tonio), Titos Vandis (Jorgo or Jorgaki), Mitsos Ligizos (the Captain), Despo Diamantidou (Despo)

Director: Jules Dassin

Screenplay: Jules Dassin

Release: 1960

Studio: Lopert Pictures Corporation, Melinafilm

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.5/10

 

 

– Is she?

– She is.

 

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Story-line: in the sunny and vibrant port district of Athens, Ilya, a glorious prostitute, is sought after by all men who live from the sea. And when an aspiring philosopher from America catches sight of her, he too falls under the spell of this siren worthy of the Odyssey. 

Pluses: a triumphant performance by Melina Mercouri (a Cannes Festival winner), excellent support from Jules Dassin and a cast exhibiting great comic timing, a witty and hilarious screenplay that banks on Ilya’s charm, Greek customs and a picturesque setting, sensible and artistically-inclined direction by an underrated helmer, a swinging score by Manos Hatzidakis and one mythical musical scene in which Melina shows as much star power as Marlene Dietrich in THE BLUE ANGEL.  

Minuses: none, and I do mean none.

Comments: NEVER ON SUNDAY, an exuberant and invigorating comedy, plays like a fairy tale pitting the ambitions of men against the joys of a simple life. Lighthearted, endearing, zany yet utterly believable, Jules Dassin’s film ranks right up there with Billy Wilder's best comedies (IRMA LA DOUCE, among others). If you’re looking for sunshine in our forbidding world, this one won’t disappoint you. OK, fellas, let’s hear some more of that bouzouki music!   

 

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