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Reviews
Poor Things (2023)
A visual hypnotic hybrid of reality and fantasy is unleash upon the senses..
Poor Things,
Skillfully pushes boundaries, and keeps you watching, although the first few minutes are heavy going.
It was originally written by Alistair Grey and set in Glasgow,. I can only say, I'm glad that in the screen adaption, they managed to transcend the parochial location boundary, and the adaptation brings a quirky, darkly surreal quality with elements of the comic.
Its a basic storyline, but its the visually concept is which makes it hypnotic
A eccentric professor and a female Frankenstein,
It covers issues of the need of a man to own and control the women in their life, However, the lead role of Bella ( Emma Stone) plays a brilliant femme fatale and her rejection of emotions, reflect a developing interest in science and the anatomy, in more ways than one. As her child like brain catches up with ever youthful beauty,. The scenes and camera shifts from normal reality of being set in Victorian London, to the futuristic visions as seen through Bella's eyes,which is quite a page turner
It has flavour of Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the thief and the lover, laced with elements of Wes Anderson style of fast moving fantasy.
Director, Yorgos Lanthimos has brought a magnificent alchemy to the screen and has put his stamp on the film industry as a verified auteur. Backed by a fantastic cast, cinematographer, script, crew, lighting and wardrobe, I think a special mention to the cleaners should be included as some of those scenes are extremely messy.
Une belle course (2022)
Fabulously French and a must see
It's not the destination, it's the journey" Ralph Waldo Emerson. Philosopher.
Review Xanthe OConnor
With a opening mise en scene, that establishes the psychology turmoil of Taxi driver Charles, in true French style, because all he needs now is to drive across to the other side of Paris to pick up a fare, on arrival his passenger is no where to be seen, suddenly his dark mood is broken by the cutting feisty tones of the elderly (92 yrs old) Magdalene, who is moving into a retirement home.
Not a great start for both, as Charles dreads the return journey back across Paris. And Magdalene tries to postpone her move to the nursing home. However, this is the beginning of a beautiful bitter sweet journey. Which draws out a bonding respect and mutual compassion for both
During the journey Magdalene prises open the all too closed grumpy Charles, by her candour and strength, as she unveils the incredible under current of her own life story. This last taxi ride for her, is a last grasp to resolve moments in her past
Its the juxtaposition of the shared stories which bridge ages of the two, giving each other the insight and understanding to bring a shared tenderness and compassion.
Throughout the journey we visit flash backs of situations and the places of Magdalene past, which is elevated by the enticing glimpses of Paris. From the taxi window. Charles once blinded to it's beauty, begins to open his eyes as re evaluates the preciousness of his family and in life.
The cinematography and editing is seamless, music creates a flowing ambience and direction holds a tender nugget of emotion.
Le Hérisson (2009)
A reminder that civilisation is about people, not material objects..a beautifully moving film
The Hedgehog (Le Herisson) Set in the back drop of a Parisian bourgeoisie set of apartments, cared for by the prickly and seemingly insignificant female janitor who has found the perfect place to hide her intellect and wisdom, until she is uncovered by the new sophisticated handsome tenant, who gentle knocks at her door and she hesitantly at his. The story is documented and interwoven with the intellectual cutting wit of a desolate poor little rich girl, with a mission that never reaches reality but who finds solace in filming the failure of her family life in the apartment above the janitor, with whom she develops and a deep and meaningful relationship with . . It is this failure/loss of love which bonds the three together in this beautiful stunning film. Well scripted, beautifully shot, supreme acting ..it leaves you ...well you really need to go and see it for yourself...I did and think most people would love and agree that this debut from Mona Achach. A first time feature film directer surpasses that of amateur to auteur, with her adaptation of the novel The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Moroccan-born French novelist and philosopher Muriel Barbery, which was one of the best selling books in France.
Running time 100 mins
Les émotifs anonymes (2010)
Romantics Anonymous..is a lovely film..in which two people shy away..from love....well at lest until their passion for chocolate over whelms them.
Romantics Anonymous (Les Emotifs anonymes) 2010 French with subtitles.
A beautifully refreshingly sensitive film that charts the lives of Angelique, a chocolatier extraordinaire and Jean-René, the almost bankrupt chocolate company owner. Sounds like a match made in heaven... except these two emotionally compromised people, are almost completely unable to express themselves..
Fortunately, fate is one of the main ingredients that whisks these two together, in this slightly dark comic film. We follow Angelique as she surfaces from being a hermit on her quest for a new job, and after a short mumbling interview with Jean-René. The ever fainting Angelique, sets off with passion in her heart, chocolate in her briefcase and a chant of 'sell chocolate,' in her ears. But this is not to be, the chocolate is not up to par and Angelique tries to pull out secretly a recipe for alchemy, in order to try to save the company. Meanwhile, Jean-René, constantly swings on a emotional pendulum between the equator and the north pole in 0.5 seconds over Angelique... not forgetting the underlying threat of losing his company. However, it would seem that a recipe for disaster has been finally been put in the oven to bake, when the two are unwittingly booked into the same room in at a hotel, for the all important make or break Chocolate Exhibition. The close up and medium close ups of the flowing cinematography, captures the central pivot of the surrounding panic and slight claustrophobia, that constantly embraces the characters, as they battle with shyness, and the consequences of their actions to be together and the panic seizures that push them to the extremes they go - to avoid each other. The film is based loosely on the autobiographical journey of the Director Jean-Pierre Améris when in 2002 he joined a group ' Emotions Anonymous in 2002, a discussion group based on the same principles as Alcoholics Anonymous.' Romantics Anonymous..is a lovely film..in which two people shy away..from love....well at lest until their passion for chocolate over whelms them.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
A visual feast that serves lashings of delights
Midnight in Paris is for me, one the best films that Woody Allen has produced in a long time. The crux of the film encapsulates the need to find escape from unhappy situations and for our protagonist writer, the thought of a superficial existence in Hollywood, with wife to be...leads him to escape into a wonderful fantasy. Amazingly, the step from reality into fantasy is not to difficult after the first car ride. As it is easy to join in on the journey - as we meet the talented, the beautiful & charismatic. The production values of this film are overwhelmingly wonderful. Allen's mark as a director seems to be very much on the American family, whilst it would seem the other actors have a freedom to improvise.
One for the girlz..move over Heathcliff ..Hemingway is here..lordy ..lordy