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Reviews
L'amour et les forêts (2023)
Well acted but superficial
I went to see this film with high expectations, because of its subject and because I like the two actors, who are at the peak of their respective careers at the moment.
The beginning of the film sets the tone for the whole thing: temporal cuts, weird editing. The theme of domestic violence is very sensitive and would have merited in-depth analysis. However, we see a superficial approach, caused, I think, by the temporal overview of key moments. However, the acting of both actors is excellent.
There are also some strange choices, like the singing parts, and the inclusion of a twin in the protagonist - which adds absolutely nothing to the story, and is even distracting.
Les Olympiades, Paris 13e (2021)
Quite empty
I was very disappointed with this movie. I like Audiard's work, he has made some excellent movies, and I was looking forward to watch this, but I found it empty, with all its supposed sexiness feeling quite shallow. The actors are ok, but their characters are superficial, and I couldn't care less of what happens to them. Even the black and white is not pretty. I think it was selected for Cannes 2021 only because of the reputation of Audiard.
Olegs (2019)
Powerful and almost unbearable
I liked this movie a lot. Gritty realism, strong performances, almost unbearable situations, the close camera allows you to feel the anguish and desperation of this poor guy. I was going to give it an 8 but the ending disappointed me a tiny bit.
Retfærdighedens ryttere (2020)
Entertaining but with little substance
Entertaining but somewhat lacking in substance. A lot of improbabilities. Stereotypical but funny characters. The violence seems totally gratuitous and unjustified. The characters are explained but they have no depth. A crowd pleasure with all the good elements. Clever popular writing far from being a masterpiece.
Il gatto a nove code (1971)
Masterful movie
First Dario Argento's movie that I watch-and I was gripped! Masterful work by a then 30 years old director. The dialogues are very good and realistic. Has a lot of suspense, violence, powerful soundtrack, Rome in 1979 and its surprising comedic scenes. Reading the other reviews I learn that this movie is considered somehow one of Argento's minor ones-can't wait to watch the other ones.
Happy Cleaners (2019)
Common Family drama
This film is a piece of reality, but as such it does not add anything new to what we experience or what we see around us. It got me depressed, annoyed and upset at times. Lots of yelling and shouting-why do I have to go through this? The dramatic curve is almost non-existent. I give it a 6 for the acting, which is solid, and for the shimmering and clean appearance of the photography. Watch it if you like super common family dramas.
Rifkin's Festival (2020)
Better ending than beginning
Even if it's the same Woody Allen's topics of all these years, It's better than I thought. Has some dull parts in the middle, but its pace improves towards the end, specially with the acting of the lady playing doctor Jo Rojas and the crazy Sergi Lopez cameo. Rifkin's character gains some depth, too, as the movie approaches to the end. And the scene with Waltz is absolutely hilarious, maybe the only good jokes of all the movie.
Loved the black & white, as well, but I keep wondering if Allen will surprise his public again with a final masterpiece. We can always hope.
Coming 2 America (2021)
Come on Eddie
So disappointed with this movie. Couldn't finish it. I wasn't expecting something as good as the first one, for sure, but this is pure emptiness, bad jokes, shallow characters. How is it possible that anyone involved in this movie, starting with Eddie Murphy, could think for one second that this was a good product ? And where's Eddie's charisma? How to tarnish the reputation of a comedic classic.
Édouard et Caroline (1951)
Subtle masterpiece
This is a wonderful, joyful and smart movie. Very well acted. The chemistry between Edouard and Caroline is astonishing, and she's so pretty and desirable. I was pleasantly surprised with the sexiness of it all : the tension of desire is almost palpable during the whole movie, and not only between the protagonists. To watch this movie was a beautiful experience. Pure cinematic art.
Genèse (2018)
Pretty & messy
Nice 2/3 of a movie. Catches well the world of modern love and despair within the youth. Loved too that it takes place in Montreal, great city. Soundtrack was good too, I made a couple of discoveries (John Maus, Tops). Beautifully shot as well. The pace reminded me of european movies. But the last, unexpected act, turned me off completely. I couldn't even finish the movie! From a solid 7.5 it dropped to a 6.
Série noire (1979)
Too many screams
This movie had the potential to be great, in my opinion, but some elements were flawed, to start with the over the top performance of Patrick Dewaere. I know he depicts a crazy man, but he is screaming everytime he's on screen, and this become rapidly irritating. At the end, I could not take it anymore and turned off the volume when I saw him opening his mouth and gesticulating madly at the other characters.
Marie Trintignant is very beautiful and intriguing but annoying, too, in her constant silence. It would've been more enriching to listen more from her, in order to discover her psychology.
Now the strong points: the gritty Paris of the 1970s, urban realism, Bernard Blier's quiet and masterful performance, the surprising criminal downfall and the last image of the movie.
6,5/10-and I would not like to see this movie again.
Paint (2020)
Starts well
This movie started surprisingly well. I laughed out loud for the first fifteen minutes or so - I thought it was smart, original and funny, but unfortunately it looses rapidly it's steam, and becomes some kind of light comedy about the world of art. I was disappointed but saw the whole film nonetheless, hoping it would regain some force. It didn't.
All the Vermeers in New York (1990)
Masterful
Superb movie. As much narrative as contemplative. Both visual poetry and reflection on contemporary romantic impasse. I didn't know Jon Jost, but now I'm very curious to see his work! Beautiful actresses-and honestly, poor guy!
Soul (2020)
Felt rushed
Nice movie, very well done, would surely be amazing on the big screen. The message is nonetheless hackneyed, and the paced and story felt rushed. 6.5/10.
Corporate (2017)
Excellent movie
Harsh, intense, super realistic movie. The actress, Céline Sallette, is gorgeous and very talented. And it was great to see Paris, as well.
Wander Darkly (2020)
Breathtaking
Innovative and ambitious narrative approach about the somewhat hackneyed topic of the couple. Genuine chemistry between the two protagonists. It was hard at times to watch, especially at the beginning, to such an extent it is realistic and at the same time dreamlike, almost insane. It gets a little too long towards the end - probably to give the viewer a break, and it loses some of its force. A solid 7.5 / 10.
L'incredibile storia dell'isola delle rose (2020)
Crowd pleaser
Not a bad movie, but a very commercial one for sure. The kind of movie you are pleased to watch when you have nothing to do on a Sunday evening. I thought that Cluzet would've had a bigger role as well, but it is a cameo. 5.5/10
Un illustre inconnu (2014)
Good, entertaining, interesting
Nice movie. Good acting. I wouldn't say it's a masterpiece, as others have stated, but entertaining and interesting nonetheless, would have liked to see more of Paris in it. Solid 7.5.
Supermarkt (1974)
Naturalistic masterpiece
How did I not hear about this movie before? It's a little jewel. Pain and distress in the big city, the use of crime to escape misery. Well-built characters in a hyperrealist plot. I loved the vision of the greyish and alienating city. The rise of a little thug that everyone likes to humiliate and yet only wanted to be understood and loved. A kind of naturalistic Clockwork Orange.
Dronningen (2019)
Almost unbearable
Heavy tension. Perfectly acted. It left me in a intense state of anguish. Watch it because it's a good movie, perhaps a bit too long.
Tommaso (2019)
Life
This movie felt like life. Everything's so natural and yet so complicated, even delirious, painful. I loved the sensuality of the shooting, the music is magnificent. Dafoe acting is magnetic, you forget that you're watching a movie. There are some brilliant moments, naturalistic parts, like when he yell at the drunk or when he's about to sleep with the blond woman he met at the AA. And ultimately it allowed me to visit Rome again, it brought me beautiful and painful memories.
Les Amoureux de Montréal (1992)
Wonderful movie
This movie is great. I was pleasantly surprised. Half documentary, half poetry. You learn a lot about this beautiful city. It is a moving photograph of Montreal in the early 1990's. I was nostalgic! Just recognizing the streets, the Old Port, the downtown buildings -how much did everything change and yet is still the same. The script is very good, read by a convincing voice. Loved this movie.
Funny Ha Ha (2002)
Good & smart indie movie
I have come to know Bujalksi movies. This one
is very good too. Realistic, well acted, I just didn't want it to finish. The actress is quite good in it. I felt some nostagia from the early 2000s when I was at the same age than the characters. Solid 8 for a good and smart indie movie.
Barwy ochronne (1977)
It's all in the details
Very good movie. A lot of talking, not recommended to everyone, yet powerful. The characters are strongly depicted. I loved the small details: the student who get drunk-very dostoievskyan-, the dog that does not bite, the blond baby, the girl who seems to love the young teacher but who ultimately doesn't really. I was a little irritated by the old professor, his cynism was too heavy handed, and this almost made me give a 7/10 to the movie, but at the end the details were too powerful and made this movie a very good one.
#JeSuisLà (2019)
Could not care less
Starts OK. Typical french movie: food, family, smokes, party, unfaithfulness. Then he goes to South Korea. The second act - in the airport - is absurdly long, almost unbearable. Is it supposed to be funny, smart, an artsy statement of sorts? I don't know. Then his kids visit him, and it is long, painfully long. They eat, walk, talk, I could not care less, nothing happens! I stopped the movie 10 minutes before the end, I went to sleep. The only thing I liked was the disillusionment of his love interest: that was realistic.