Cannabis (1970)
Directed by Pierre Koralnik

Film Review

Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin were admirably served by their first two films together - Pierre Grimblat's Slogan (1968) and André Cayatte's Les Chemins de Katmandou (1969), but their third screen pairing just looks like a lazy excuse for some simulated sex and drugs taking.  Directed (if that's the word) by Swiss filmmaker Pierre Koralnik, Cannabis (a film about love, not drugs, or so reads the opening caption) does its best to ape the grittier, more self-consciously stylish crime thrillers coming out of America in the late 60s, but saddled with the most atrocious script all it ends up resembling is a self-indulgent mess that can't help but wallow pathetically in its own inept silliness.

Characterisation is non-existent, so don't ask why Birkin shacks up with hitman Gainsbourg or why the supposedly ruthless hoods who are after Gainbourg's skin are so incapable of doing their job. Gainsbourg is not the only pop legend to be sacrificed on this bloody altar of mediocrity - Paul Nicholas (in his first film role) gets well and truly filleted as one of the ad hoc characters that gets randomly thrown into the incoherent mess that purports to be a plot.  Gainsbourg's music goes some way to redeeming the film, but not enough to make it a worthwhile viewing experience.  There's only so many times you can watch Gainsbourg pawing Birkin's more intimate regions before you become nauseous.  Cannabis is a trip without a destination.

Film Synopsis

Serge Morgan is a hitman in the employ of the American Mafia. Having fulfilled his latest contract, he takes a plane to Paris. En route, he meets Jane, the daughter of a wealthy ambassador. On his arrival at Orly airport, Morgan is wounded by the henchmen of drugs baron Henri Emery. With Jane's help, he avoids capture and is soon caught up in a passionate love affair...