HAIL MARY

Both denounced and praised by religious authorities, Jean-Luc Godard's controversial film has provoked violent demonstrations to effect its ban. The analogous story suggests how the miracle of immaculate conception might be accepted within the context of contemporary middle-class life in Switzerland. Marie (Myriem Roussel) plays basketball on a women's team and works in her father's gas station. She holds fast to her virginity, frustrating her fiance, Joseph (Thierry Rode), a taxi driver. His credulity is taxed with Marie's pregnancy is confirmed despite her denials of sexual contact. Marie and Joseph raise the child and when he runs away, Marie affirms – “He'll be back by Easter” – a Godardian wink, in one of his most accessible films.