The film consists of a number of episodes in Kitten’s life, as Jordan uses these teasers to mix camp with an earnest exploration of the political (the ongoing conflict between the Brits and the IRA, as the lad becomes unwittingly involved with the IRA) and social upheaval of the times (the changing sexual attitudes). But the sway from fun to seriousness never quite smoothly jells, though it’s moderately entertaining fare. Kitten’s need for a mother’s love, to dress in drag and to find mum above all else, gets buried in too many episodic adventures to be taken seriously as it goes off on a number of unaffecting surreal journeys. It’s all kept upbeat by a lively vintage-pop sound track and an engaging tour de force performance by Murphy, who delivers the film’s best line “Oh serious, serious, serious!” with the right mixture of camp and mock earnestness. The likable lad after a number of misadventures survives to fit into the 1970s Swinging London scene as a transvestite cabaret performer. Stephen Rea plays Bertie, a second-rate magician who takes a shine to Kitten and they become lovers. Brendan Gleeson puts in a stint as an irate fair worker who wears an animal costume and gives Kitten a job.