Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 3:48:21 GMT
Winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes and France's official submission for Oscar's Best Foreign Language Film category. It's a film full of energy and passion - unafraid of intense eroticism or of wearing its heart on its sleeve. Despite its powerful material, the film does wander a bit in its final hour (it's probably at least 20 minutes too long), but fluid editing and a throbbing techno score do help to sidestep this problem. A true ensemble piece that's full of beautiful, natural performances (Adèle Haenel is here, pacinoyes !) - it's a moving tribute to a very specific moment in French history. It's not seeming to find much of an audience, in France or internationally... You should see it when it comes to your city!
|
|
avnermoriarti
Badass
Friends say I’ve changed. They’re right.
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 1,274
|
Post by avnermoriarti on Nov 26, 2017 5:24:25 GMT
I like it more when I think about it and how it was put together that when I was actually seeing it, I couldn't join the two sides of the film, one of the group discussing the orgaization's goals, which I didn't find all that compelling, it was abit didactic but still deserves a lot of credit from not making a lot of fuzz about it, no shaky camera, exteme close-ups, etc, it's not shouting its themes on the screen even if the actions of the group sometimes were a bit out there. The movie is stronger when there's an actual vision behind of what's happening and sometimes it comes right after the protests took place, those were the moments that brought it to life to me, the music add a lot and as you said the editing, the transitions from the club dancing scenes to more intimate moments were jaw-droping, each and every one of them and then what's happening in those moments too, the sex scene it's beautiful and sincere. I love how slowly became the story of Sean, but many other characters were also interesting and I only wish we could learn more about them, especially because all the actors were incredibly commited, Adele Haenel brings a lot to the table and one can only imagine her story, the same for Arnaud Valois, which was the most compelling character to me because it seems like he was hiding some things from the group and of course for the decision he makes in the third act. So yeah, it's not always engaging but there's a lot to like here.
I'm actually surprised this one didn't won the big prize at Cannes, The Square is way more idyosincratic, it should've been an easy choice, so kudos to that jury.
PS. If it wasn't for Call My by Your Name, the final scene in this film, that very much summarize the themes of the film, it would be my choice for my favourite of the year so far. It's powerful and full of energy as you said.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2017 14:05:41 GMT
avnermoriarti - Thank you for your thoughtful reply! I enjoyed reading it. I'm actually the opposite in that I preferred the political aspects of the film to the more personal ones. As I say in my OP, I think the film drags a bit in its second act. I do think that Valois and Haenel were MVPs, though - really interested in exploring their work more.
|
|
avnermoriarti
Badass
Friends say I’ve changed. They’re right.
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 1,274
|
Post by avnermoriarti on Nov 30, 2017 7:41:45 GMT
avnermoriarti - Thank you for your thoughtful reply! I enjoyed reading it. I'm actually the opposite in that I preferred the political aspects of the film to the more personal ones. As I say in my OP, I think the film drags a bit in its second act. I do think that Valois and Haenel were MVPs, though - really interested in exploring their work more. The more I think about those scenes the more I appreciate how they're presented, as I said not calling attention to itself, I just think the shift between tones is a bit too drastic, and yeah, once you see where the movie is going it drags a bit, but there are a few details that keep it interesting ( Valois' character particularly ) but overall I liked it. I'm not very familiar with Haenel, I've not seen her most acclaimed performances but in lesser movies like In the Name of My Daughter and The Unknown Girl she does a very good job even though her roles are one-note and she makes an impression even in small roles ( House of Tolerance )
|
|