Don't let the title fool you. "How to Talk to Girls at Parties" melds science fiction with sexy comedy for something completely different. Alex Sharp embraces England's punk culture of the late 70s. One night, he and his pals follow the sound of strange music to a mansion filled with gyrating vinyl-clad beings. They look like young people, but actually come from some bizarre corner of the universe. Out of this world, Elle Fanning takes an interest in Alex and the punk scene. Nicole Kidman adds to the lunacy as Queen Boadicea, a punk impresario who coaxes a whacked-out stage performance from Elle, whom she intends to make a punk star. "How to Talk to Girls at Parties" made me laugh, kept my attention, and bowled me over. "How to Talk to Girls at Parties," 3½ stars, rated "R." Does it deliver what it promises? Not the usual stuff. Is it entertaining? Delightfully puzzling. Is it worth the price of admission? Who knew science fiction could be so much fun?
