The Scenic Route

Mark Rappaport melds wry humour and seriousness in his New York tale of two sisters, Estelle and Lena, who both fall for the same fake macho Paul. The stylish cross between opera and soap is full of visual jokes.

At a restaurant one day, Estelle notices a man, Paul, who seems to be paying more attention to her than to his female companion. Later on, she bumps into him again. A murder has been committed which brings them closer together. When her sister Lena starts seducing men and bringing them home, Paul is one of them.

As in all his films, The Scenic Route is about emotional and incestuous relationships. Rappaport always sources his adaptations from opera. He is attracted by the music, the dramatic structure and the emotional intrigue.