This film is part of Rentals
The Book of Gabrielle
Lisa Gornick's funny and frank drama sketches the relationship between a sex-obsessed lesbian illustrator and a randy hetero author, who bond over their favourite subject.
Director: Lisa Gornick
Overview
Lisa Gornick's funny and frank drama sketches a most unexpected meeting of minds. Gabrielle (Gornick herself) is a London-based illustrator hoping to publish her book of risqué sex drawings. She gets an unlikely boost from an encounter with an established author, Saul Bernard (Allan Corduner), who is similarly sex-obsessed. Despite their opposing sexual orientations, the pair strike up a platonic yet mildly flirtatious friendship, in which they reveal innermost sexual secrets and muse on their shared Jewish heritage.
The last film from the multi-talented one-woman production outfit Lisa Gornick is a marvel of modestly budgeted craftsmanship, which revels in its quirky characters and insightful dialogue in a manner more familiar from US independent cinema. Gornick envisaged the film as a multiplatform event which variously encompassed a live show and the production of Gabrielle's book itself; but the film stands alone as a sexy and provocative delight that veers away from predictability at every turn, anchored around Gornick's mature performance and an impish turn from veteran character actor Corduner (Defiance, Topsy-Turvy).
Related
Plainclothes Plainclothes
Drama 2025 97 mins Director: Carmen Emmi
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey lead a Sundance-prize winning ensemble in this knockout cruising drama from debut director Carmen Emmi.
Young Hearts Young Hearts
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Anthony Schatteman
A gentle and sincere story of queer love between two young teenage boys, told with warmth and humour.
Solo Solo
Drama 2025 102 mins Director: Sophie Dupuis
Emerging drag queen Simon begins a passionate, yet destructive relationship with an alluring new man, as his mother re-enters his life after 15 years
Christy Christy
Drama 2025 95 mins Director: Brendan Canty
Deeply moving portrait of a young man thrown out of his foster home, trying for a new start after moving in with his estranged brother in Cork.
A Night Like This A Night Like This
Drama 2025 101 mins Director: Liam Calvert
Two seemingly mismatched men form an unexpected connection over the course of one cold London night, in this warm-hearted debut from Liam Calvert.
Paul & Paulette Take a Bath Paul & Paulette Take a Bath
Drama 2024 109 mins Director: Jethro Massey
This unconventional romantic comedy sees a young American in Paris meet a woman with a morbid curiosity for the darker sides of the city's history.
Boys on Film 18: Heroes Boys on Film 18: Heroes
Anthology 2018 132 mins Director: Dean Loxton, Niels Bourgonje, Tamara Shogaolu, Victor Lindgren, Sam Ashby, Hope Dickson Leach, Søren Green, Alejandro Medina, Kai Stänicke and Mikael Bundsen
Ten uplifting and powerful tales of everyday heroes, each striving for their own identities whether gay, bi or transgender, and fighting for the right to be themselves.
Freak Show Freak Show
Comedy 2018 91 mins Director: Trudie Styler
Alex Lawther is outstanding as a teenage rebel in this tale of an unrepentant high-school outsider, directed by Trudie Styler.
Mario Mario
Drama 2018 119 mins Director: Marcel Gisler
On the pitch Mario and Leon are teammates; off the pitch they are becoming so much more.
The Happy Prince The Happy Prince
Biopic 2018 105 mins Director: Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett astounds as Oscar Wilde, depicting the fallen star in the final years of his life, in this heartfelt and captivating passion project.
McQueen McQueen
Biopic 2018 111 mins Director: Ian Bonhôte
In scintillating fashion, this compelling documentary explores the dark dreams that drove the brilliant, lamented designer, Alexander McQueen.
Anchor and Hope Anchor and Hope
Comedy 2018 113 mins Director: Carlos Marques-Marcet
Sweetly swaying houseboat comedy about a couple whose river-bound existence is upended by the arrival of an old friend.
Topsy-Turvy Topsy-Turvy
Drama 2000 152 mins Director: Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh forays into period drama for this story of Gilbert and Sullivan and their risky production of The Mikado.
Ghost Trail Ghost Trail
Thriller 2024 106 mins Director: Jonathan Millet
Tense, morally complex political thriller about a man hunting down fugitive war criminals from the Assad regime in Syria, inspired by true events.
Plainclothes Plainclothes
Drama 2025 97 mins Director: Carmen Emmi
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey lead a Sundance-prize winning ensemble in this knockout cruising drama from debut director Carmen Emmi.
What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day? What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?
Documentary 2005 45 mins Director: Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s second collaboration with pop band Saint Etienne traces the hidden history of East London’s Lower Lea Valley before its Olympic makeover.
Young Hearts Young Hearts
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Anthony Schatteman
A gentle and sincere story of queer love between two young teenage boys, told with warmth and humour.
Finisterre Finisterre
Documentary 2003 59 mins Director: Kieran Evans and Paul Kelly
A journey from London’s suburbs to its heart, charting the influence of the city on indie pop band Saint Etienne.
This Is Tomorrow This Is Tomorrow
2007 54 mins Director: Paul Kelly
The final part of Saint Etienne and Paul Kelly’s London trilogy follows the renovation and reopening of the Royal Festival Hall through 2005-7.