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For Charlotte Rampling, the outstanding actress and once all-powerful Euro diva, life is serious business. It’s in her heavy eyelids, her penchant for intense and sometimes controversial roles (The Night Porter), and The Look, the biography directed by first-timer Angelina Maccarone. Divided into sections with vaguely pretentious names like “exposure,” “age,” “beauty,” “demons,” and “taboo,” The Look is uninterested in the lighthearted moments of a life in cinema. It’s described as a “self-portrait through others,” showing Rampling in conversation with friends and confidantes about beauty and talent— how they reveal themselves, their purpose, and most of all, whether they fade over time. All those staid conversations can get exhausting over 90 minutes, but everything hinges on Rampling’s look—and that’s fascinating throughout. When Rampling turns her severe grey eyes your way, you shiver. Not just out of intimidation, but in deference to the life that simmers under the surface. The film shows through Thursday at E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $11. (Chris Heller)
MUSIC
If you’ve seen this Corona commercial on TV, you’ve probably heard The Knocks’ sunny single “Make It Better.” The poptastic dance duo headlines U Street Music Hall tonight with openers St. Lucia and Savoir Adore. 8 p.m. at 1115 U St. NW. $10-$13.
Typefighter—-whose frontman you may remember from a 2010 Washington City Paper rooftop session—-plays Velvet Lounge with Cheers Elephant and The Trillions. 9 p.m. at 915 U St. NW. $8-$10.
Brooklyn’s Xray Eyeballs make distorted, catchy pop-punk and bizarre NSFW music videos. Reason enough to see the band tonight at Comet? Yes! And maybe also to see what they wear. Xray Eyeballs plays with Bezoar and local favorites Foul Swoops at 9 p.m. at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW. $10.
BOOKS, TALKS, AND COMEDY
Tonight’s Humanitini session—-one of the Tuesday-night talks organized by the Humanities Council of D.C.—-tackles the relationship between sports and local identity, asking, “Can a city with a large transient population attract dedicated home-team supporters?” 6 p.m. at Axum, 1934 9th St. NW. Free.
Correction: The information on Pink Line Project’s website is inaccurate. This event is private and taking place at Upstairs on 7th. Ali Wentworth, comedian, actress, and wife of George Stephanopoulos—-is at Gallery 555 tonight, signing copies of her new book, Ali in Wonderland. 6 p.m. Free. 555 12th St. NW.
FRENCH CULTURE
The citywide Francophonie Festival begins today. Check out the schedule online.
DRINK THIS
Tonight, try to numb your anxieties about the upcoming November election at Topaz, where a selection of new cocktails created in tribute to the remaining GOP candidates promise a far sweeter result than any polling place. You’ve got to hand it to Kimpton Hotels’ resident mixologist Rico Wisner. Naming a liquid concoction after former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is a dubious proposition these days. I mean, it’s been done. Credit Wisner for taking the high road here, avoiding dark liquors, altogether, in favor of green tea-infused vodka, Benedictine, lemon juice and simple syrup. His “Gin-grich and tonic,” meanwhile, is a clever enough title. Go ahead and order four—-one for you and each wife. Or, if you prefer to cut to the inevitably boring and sober conclusion, there’s the Mitt Romney-themed root beer float. A wiser soul would opt for the $6 added shot of root liqueur. It’s going to be a long eight months. Topaz Bar, 1733 N St. NW, (202) 393-3000. (Chris Shott)
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