Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici
To make up for my absence and to tune into the spirit of well-wishing and gifting, this month I’m going to write about a few movies I consider masterpieces – not traditional Christmas movies, but complex poetic films, each one a must-see that can/will make you think.
Happy holidays! 😀
Image source: Wikimedia
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Year of release: 2011
Directors: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Writers: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano (screenplay – based on a book about a real story)
Starring: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, etc.For more information on “Intouchables (EN: The Intouchables)”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb
General impression:
This is such a wonderful, poetically realistic film – so emotional, so elegant. It is one of the best movies about friendship ever made. The fact that it is based on a true story gives it a realistic dimension that adds a boost of feeling. Both main actors make highly likable characters and manage to translate the special bond between the two friends into gestures and glances that highlight the profoundness of their friendship. We can use the differences between us to separate ourselves from others, or, if we are wise, we can find in others what we lack and need. This is the story of a paralyzed rich white man who finds the lack of pity and the sparks of life he needs in the person of an unemployed black man he hires to take care of him. It is also the story of a black man who, with the support, encouragement and money he needs, overcomes the limits drawn by poverty and racial stereotypes. Balance, fair trade, true friendship… the tears I cried while watching “Les Intouchables”… Oh, and it is occasionally very funny. Aaand it features music by Ludovico Einaudi!
Highlights:
This whole movie is made of highlights, including the light in Omar Sy’s eyes – the moment you see his eyes, you know that Driss (the character he’s playing) has deep innocent sadness in his big heart, and also a witty playful mind. The story is great, the acting excellent, all the technicalities of the movie are impeccable.
Downside:
I couldn’t find anything of that sort.
Would I see it again? – Yes!
My Rating (1 to 10): 10
Recommended: Yes, it’s a must-see 🙂
Suggestion:
Help each other – that’s what differences between us are for.
Image source: Wikimedia
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Year of release: 2001
Director: Pan Nalin
Writers: Pan Nalin (story & screenplay), Tim Baker (screenplay)
Starring: Shawn Ku, Cristy Chung, etc.For more information on “Samsara”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb
General impression:
“How can one prevent a drop of water from ever drying up?” If you want to know the answer, watch this wonderful movie. After I saw “Samsara”, it took me a while to stop weeping. I loved it immensely and felt that I understood it completely, in a way that transcends words. It is not primarily about enlightenment (although it may seem otherwise). It’s a story about the essence of life as a human being, the loop of physical life with its ups, downs, good, bad, truth, illusions, happiness and sorrow. It shows in beautiful imagery and smart dialogues that, on the road to enlightenment, one has to consume and digest the mundane, experience its spectrum of emotions. Tashi may not become a Buddha in his present body, but he gets his answers about life as we know it. The circle is full. On to the next? 🙂
Highlights:
It’s perfect in every aspect and its consistency is a rarity.
Downside:
What downside?!
Would I see it again? – Yes, regularly
My Rating (1 to 10): 10
Recommended: Yes! Highly!
Suggestion:
Watch it when you’re up for giving life a thought… a deep thought.
Image source: Wikimedia
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Year of release: 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Writers: Tate Taylor (screenplay), Kathryn Stockett (novel)
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, etc.For more information on “The Help”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb
General impression:
In spite of the fact that it is a drama on serious topics, it’s hard not to label “The Help” a chick flick. It is about Civil Rights era housewives in Jackson, Mississippi, and their maids of color – the women who raised their children and did their housework, with little to show for. The masculine presence in this story is scarce and, despite making a few points, it is not essentially relevant. Apart from that, it is a touching movie, with great acting, showing the unjust lives of black women in those times. The (often ignorant and insensitive) lady of the house (Bryce Dallas Howard does a great job portraying a completely despicable one) had a full life at the expense of the bitter sacrifices her help needed to make to be able to serve long hours, doing all the actual work around the house, and getting no respect for it. Prejudices and stereotypes, a past that’s not very far away from our time… It’s hard to believe that people could/can behave like that… Hard to believe, yet real.
Highlights:
It’s a good movie with good acting performances rewarded with nominations and awards.
Downside:
On a scale from 1 to 5 in which 1 means “not a chick flick” and 5 is “100% chick-o flick-o”, “The Help” is at 4.
Would I see it again? – Yes, someday
My Rating (1 to 10): 9
Recommended: Yes 🙂
Suggestion:
Remember: “You is kind, you is smart, you is important” 🙂
Image source: Wikimedia
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Year of release: 1979
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Writers: Arkadi and Boris Strugatsky (screenplay & novel)
Starring: Alexander Kaidanovsky, Alisa Freindlich, etc.For more information on “Stalker”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb
General impression:
A true work of art! I find it hard to talk about this film, because it is one of those which speak thoroughly for themselves, leave no gaps, and you don’t have much to add. It is about a journey into a mysterious zone, and a room where wishes become reality. The “stalker” is a man who guides others through this unusual place. Some scenes are filmed in black and white, some in color, depending on the dimension of reality they present. The visuals are stunning and most frames look like art photographs. Nothing is left to chance, everything seems to exist in the frame for a reason. Poetry, philosophy, aesthetics – this movie is one of a kind, one of the best ever.
Highlights:
Everything about this movie, every detail skillfully completes a solid atemporal artistic composition.
Downside:
Might seem strange, pretentious, even boring to some. Too bad for them.
Would I see it again? – Yes
My Rating (1 to 10): 10
Recommended: Yes, highly
Suggestion:
Expect a movie you either like or you don’t, you either understand or you don’t.