| Overall Grade: |
C+ |
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| Story: |
C+ |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
C- |
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| Visuals: |
B+ |
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Not a Pretty Movie But Compelling
by L (movies profile)
Jul 26, 2008
3
of
3 people found this review helpful
If you're looking for something pretty to watch, see "Marie Antoinette". If you want to see a unique piece of cinematic art, see this movie.
Some of the others who reviewed this movie have good points. It starts slow, I had trouble with the exact relevance of a couple of the characters, and some of the acting does not inspire a lot of feeling. I also understand why some people were uncomfortable with the sex scenes. But this is a very different style of filmmaking than prudish American audiences are used to and so much was lost in translation. I found it a compelling, thought provoking, HOT movie.
The relationship between La Vellini and Marigny is much like them: sexy, passionate, self-destructive, obsessive, lost and a little insane. The scene transitions were not Hollywood-slick, the sex scenes were graphic but very relevant and some of the story & characters were under-developed. I would have liked more backstory about the child and a little less insanity surrounding her. It's fine for Vellini to have ended up crazier after that, but I found that whole sequence a little out of place & vague. I can't even mention the script because it only works if you know French. The subtitles are atrocious.
What I liked was the cinematography, the uncertainty as to who loved whom, if any of them really loved at all, the emotional ride and...the sex scenes. They were VERY stimulating - awkward and cruel (verbally) and passionate and clearly the best sex of their lives. Physically, they fit together incredibly well and the chemistry between these two actors was amazing. Not many actors can pull off what they did in bed.
Conclusion: it's definitely worth seeing if you want a break from the typical brainless trash that Hollywood is putting out this year. (You know it's bad when even Indiana Jones is not the least bit humorous.) Just don't expect a fluffy, pretty experience. This is art at its best: somewhat understood, somewhat misunderstood, and always making you wonder what they were thinking. |
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