Trixie

In a summer of cardboard figures in splashy spectacles, that makes for a refreshing change, an intriguing, entertaining and altogether sweetly mystifying misfire. In other words, another quintessentially Alan Rudolph picture.

For me, Trixie finds its own peculiar groove, and-buoyed by a compulsively watchable actress-folds neatly into the off-center work of a distinctive American director.

This is one Rudolph opus that leaves no afterglow.

Every character is quirky, and each has a schtick.

Although the hallmarks of Rudolph movies can be found everywhere -- they don't add up to the usual magic this time.

If this retro crime comedy had been a Broadway play, it would have closed out of town.

The whole movie is like that: cute, dead and endless.