Last Call At Maud's

"Last Call at Maud's" is an interesting documentary look at the closure of a 22-year-old lesbian bar, a place that meant a great deal to its regulars, some of whom virtually made it their second home.

By extension the film also delves into the history of San Francisco as a gathering place for gay women and men, though in places it tries to cram a bit too much into a capsulized history lesson.

Interviews with patrons, waitresses, bartenders, etc., also tend to dwell on nostalgic reminiscences of events at Maud's that become redundant and dull. The film is at its best when those being interviewed relate personal stories about their own lives, which director Paris Poirier illustrates with photographs and home movies. These moments are touching and genuine and lend the film warmth and intimacy.

Originally shot on video, the low-budget, rag-tag quality of the visuals seems appropriate here, as the film takes an unpretentious, matter-of-fact approach. The nonstop talking heads do weaken the narrative drive after awhile, however, and sometimes the inferior sound is distracting, despite the brief length (77 minutes).

"Last Call at Maud's" is not rated but might get an R for language and some nudity in photos, along with a home movie shot of someone mooning the camera.