In this era of sensationalistic American films trying to outdo one another for shock value, European cinema seems to be retreating more and more to a state of droll minimalism.
This debut Belgian feature by Benoit Mariage is about an father's obsessive efforts to have his son break the world record for door opening and closing. It is stylishly made but so slight that it barely makes an impression.
Although some will be impressed by its deadpan absurdism, "The Carriers Are Waiting" -- its title refers to carrier pigeons -- is unlikely to have much impact at the art house boxoffice when it is released theatrically in March. The film was in the lineup at the New York Film Festival.
The story centers around Roger Benoit Poelvoorde, so memorable in "Man Bites Dog"), who makes his living as a photographer for a small newspaper, using the police band to arrive in timely fashion at the scene of local accidents. Roger dreams of greater glory, and when a contest to set new world records is announced, he decides that his 15-year-old son Michel (Jean-Francois Devigne) would be a perfect contestant.
Drafting his friend Richard (Bouli Lanners), a self-proclaimed expert on all things American, to serve as the boy's coach, they decide to try for the record for the most door openings and closings in a 24-hour period (a flirtation with pit spitting is quickly abandoned). Setting up a mock doorway in the back yard, they begin a rigorous training period.
Michel, predictably, couldn't care less about all this. He prefers to spend his time dressing as Elvis Presley and searching for film bloopers to discuss on a local radio show. Looking on haplessly at the preparations are Roger's flummoxed wife (Dominique Baeyens) and 8-year-old daughter (Margane Simeon), as well as a neighbor (Philippe Grand-Henry) who raises homing pigeons.
The film's satirical observations about the devastating effects of celebrity culture are mildly amusing, but the funereal pace, filled with long takes and Pinteresque pauses, detracts from the essential silliness of the proceedings. Portentously photographed (in pristine black-and-white) and edited, "Carriers" strives for an offbeat dark humor, and succeeds in some part due to Poelvoorde's compelling performance. But it is ultimately more affected than affecting.
THE CARRIERS ARE WAITING
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Director: Benoit Mariage
Screenplay: Benoit Mariage, Emmanuelle Bade, Jean-Luc Seigle
Producers: Dominique Janne
Photography: Phillippe Guilbert
Editor: Philippe Bourgueil
Music: Stephane Huguenin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Father: Benoit Poelvoorde
Luise: Margane Simeon
Michel: Jean-Francois Devigne
Coach: Bouli Lanners
Mother: Dominique Baeyens
Felix: Philippe Grand-Henry
Running time -- 94 minutes
No MPAA rating...
This debut Belgian feature by Benoit Mariage is about an father's obsessive efforts to have his son break the world record for door opening and closing. It is stylishly made but so slight that it barely makes an impression.
Although some will be impressed by its deadpan absurdism, "The Carriers Are Waiting" -- its title refers to carrier pigeons -- is unlikely to have much impact at the art house boxoffice when it is released theatrically in March. The film was in the lineup at the New York Film Festival.
The story centers around Roger Benoit Poelvoorde, so memorable in "Man Bites Dog"), who makes his living as a photographer for a small newspaper, using the police band to arrive in timely fashion at the scene of local accidents. Roger dreams of greater glory, and when a contest to set new world records is announced, he decides that his 15-year-old son Michel (Jean-Francois Devigne) would be a perfect contestant.
Drafting his friend Richard (Bouli Lanners), a self-proclaimed expert on all things American, to serve as the boy's coach, they decide to try for the record for the most door openings and closings in a 24-hour period (a flirtation with pit spitting is quickly abandoned). Setting up a mock doorway in the back yard, they begin a rigorous training period.
Michel, predictably, couldn't care less about all this. He prefers to spend his time dressing as Elvis Presley and searching for film bloopers to discuss on a local radio show. Looking on haplessly at the preparations are Roger's flummoxed wife (Dominique Baeyens) and 8-year-old daughter (Margane Simeon), as well as a neighbor (Philippe Grand-Henry) who raises homing pigeons.
The film's satirical observations about the devastating effects of celebrity culture are mildly amusing, but the funereal pace, filled with long takes and Pinteresque pauses, detracts from the essential silliness of the proceedings. Portentously photographed (in pristine black-and-white) and edited, "Carriers" strives for an offbeat dark humor, and succeeds in some part due to Poelvoorde's compelling performance. But it is ultimately more affected than affecting.
THE CARRIERS ARE WAITING
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Director: Benoit Mariage
Screenplay: Benoit Mariage, Emmanuelle Bade, Jean-Luc Seigle
Producers: Dominique Janne
Photography: Phillippe Guilbert
Editor: Philippe Bourgueil
Music: Stephane Huguenin
Color/stereo
Cast:
Father: Benoit Poelvoorde
Luise: Margane Simeon
Michel: Jean-Francois Devigne
Coach: Bouli Lanners
Mother: Dominique Baeyens
Felix: Philippe Grand-Henry
Running time -- 94 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 11/8/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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