A Very Long Engagement
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Movie Reviews of A Very Long Engagement
Movie Review: Trenches and the aftermath
Summary: 5 Stars
A French look at trench warfare in WW1. The hero is a young woman who will not believe that her fiance was really and truly killed for good and always. She defies all alleged proofs and goes for the truth, which gets peeled away in layers like an onion. The detection process provides us with several mini stories, each a peach of its own.
The loyal prostitute who avenges the killing of her pimp by killing the officer who withheld the man's presidential pardon from a death sentence for self mutilation. (Before she gets guillotined she declares: je ne regrette rien; of course she is played by the actress who got the Oscar for her Edith Piaf version.)
The soldier, whose wife, played by Jody Foster (what a surprise that was to meet her here as a Polish immigrant in France during WW1), has several kids from a previous husband; he can not be a father himself, but he figures out that he needs another child in the family to be released from military service and therefore he talks his best friend and his wife into giving him a child together... which leads to raging jealousy but no impregnation ... I am fairly certain that story is from Decamerone. Need to look that up.
(The world has only about a few hundred basic story structures, which get repeated in different shapes and sizes in different times and places...)
The frame story of the woman who will not give up searching is for sure also not new, nor is the final solution to the mystery a surprise, but I will not spoil it.
A very nice movie with great cinematography and splendid actors. Even Tautou, whom I had started to dislike for Da Vinci. I reconsider.
Movie Review: Epic in delivery; Intimate at its core
Summary: 5 Stars
"A Very Long Engagement" was out for a while, and I always attempt to see award winners. I finally found it at the library, in a 2-disc version, but wasn't able to watch it til the last moment. Pity! There is so much to absorb, too much for one viewing (and reading subtitles). I won't blab away the plot, like previous reviewers; it's way too complicated, and, yet, very simple. I was reminded of "Doctor Zhivago", with a gender switch, because Mr. Jeunet has crafted an opulent adventure/love story, full of intrigue, passion, gorgeous sets and cinematography, fine acting, and generally a satisfying film experience. (It also takes place during the same time period.) Ms. Tautou sheds some of that natural beauty, to enhance her frustrating quest; Gaspard Ulliel is wonderful, and not only because he's gorgeous, but goes through the most amazing revelation from charming to shell-shocked ambivalence, never losing the sweetness of character that made Mathilde so intent on her mission. I thought I noticed Jodie Foster, a feisty character, and when the credits rolled, I was blown away; her perfect French, combined with the passionate character, just added to my admiration of her. Indeed, the entire cast was excellent, and Mr. Jeunet's sure hand kept everything in perspective. The second disc has some great stuff regarding the development, and turning these actual locations back to 1920's authenticity. I was moved a great deal; it's a simple story, fascinating and very individual-type characters, and numerous flashbacks keep it riveting at all times. A very fine film.Movie Review: Great Story, Amazing Cinematography
Summary: 5 Stars
This director just keeps topping himself. DELICATESSEN was an amazing artistic achievement, as was CITY OF LOST CHILDREN. We'll forgive the failed attempt to make a Hollywood film (the fourth ALIEN movie). Audrey Tautou and Jean-Pierre Jeunet previously collaborated on AMELIE, also a fantastic film, and at the time, Jeunet's best work. But A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT tops them all.
Part romance, part war story, the plot is ever fascinating and continuously keeps you hooked in. The characters are all well-drawn and compelling. The editing and sound design are excellent. The cinematography, my favorite aspect of this movie, is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Every shot is like a masterfully created painting. Usually, I can get into a movie if one of the above attributes is executed well. But A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT delivers on all counts... a very rare achievement for a film.
If I have ONE complaint about this film is that I don't speak French. Normally, subtitles don't bother me at all. But viewing this film, I found myself torn between following the dialog as it flashed by at the bottom of the screen and absorbing the cinematography... both were so well done, I could never decide which to focus on! You really need to watch this movie twice... once to read the subtitles and follow the story. And then a second time, with the subtitles off, just to take in how beautiful this movie looks.
One of the best films I've seen in many years. Hollywood should be taking notes.
Movie Review: les enfants du guerre .....
Summary: 5 Stars
GASPARD ULLIEL as the lost-soldier has that unique Jean Cocteau inspired beauty that stays with the viewer long after seeing this 'poem to love under stress' created by Jean-Pierre Jeunet ~ there's something Chaplin/Barrault/Marceau - esque about the actor's performance.
This immensely moving portrait of WW1 and actual trench-warfare [we're fortunately spared the results of mustard gas] reminds us to look closely at the 'reasons' behind war and its aftermath.
Audrey Tatou is brilliant as the fiancee who does not give up and constantly plays little games with her conscience [?] and god to reaffirm her belief that her soul-mate is alive. [Her performance reminds us of Mamoulian's advice to Garbo "Queen Christina" - the final scene] Tatou's face alone states it all.
The landscape is vast - taking us from the WW1 trenches, through the agonies of domestic separation to quaint revenge [the bordello mirror episode]. Superior/Award winning Art Direction, Costume and score [but that's always the standard Juenet sets - perfection].
This movie should be mandatory viewing for the young ~ just as a reminder.
[Jodie Foster shines - and brings ever-new dimensions - as the misbegotten wife, facing a unique dilemma ~ all for love].
Ranks right up there with "THE VICTORS", 'THE BRIDGE", and 'SAVING PRIVATE RYAN" [with a nod to the story-within-a story in "STUNTMAN"].
Movie Review: Absolutely Perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
Audrey Tautou's latest film is simply amazing. Teaming up with the creative force behind the international hit "Amelie", we the audienece are treated a sometimes surreal, heartbreaking and uplifting look at the world through the eyes of a determined young lady. Audrey Tautou stars as Mathilde, a young bride to be whose fiance Manech has been sent to World War 1 only to not return. Their special bond allows Mathilde to have hope that her fiance didn't die in the War despite what everyone says. What follows is a series of events that astounds, angers and delights the audience as we join Mathilde in her quest to find out what became of her Beloved Manech.
Director Jeunet creates beautiful scenes all wrapped in his trademark sepia tones that makes the visuals take on a surreal, almost dreamy effect. His ability to give you a quick rundown on each character's strange quirks and idiosyncracies is one of the joys of watching his films.
As one other reviewer wrote it was also a joy to see Jodie Foster give a fantastic performance as a Parisian lady who also lost her husband to the war.
A fantastic film and one that truly gives hope to those in desperate situations. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!