A lot of films this week, a selection:
Roma (Federico Fellini, 1972)
After visiting the Fellini exposition in EYE Amsterdam I had to watch something of the Italian master. Roma shows fragments of Rome how it was in Fellini's early adolescence and how it is in the early seventies. I am usually not very excited about the fragmented and plotless approach, in this case it works partly (in fragments ;-)). The priest fashion show is by far the best scene of this film and shows how good Fellini can be. The observant viewer notices how Fellini criticizes 'modern' Rome, not in the last place in how he portrays it. Nevertheless, I prefer his earlier work (50's and 60's) above what he made in the 70's so far. 7/10
Spoorloos [The Vanishing] (George Sluizer, 1988)
Solid and for Dutch standards good film after Tim Krabbe's book (obligatory in high school). Having most of the dialogue in French and most of the events in France feels ' undutch' most of the time. I like how the ending 'disappoints'. 7.5/10
Ginger & Rosa (Sally Potter, 2012)
Wow. Elle Fanning delivers a stellar performance as the young Ginger in the roaring sixties. The world is about to be bombed, her father is an influential writer 'impressing' her best friend Rosa while Ginger already has a hard time dealing with growing up. This beautiful stylized coming-of-age story will rank as one of the best of the year. 8.5/10
Salo, or the 120 days of Sodom (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1975)
Yeah, well. I had to watch this according to some of the critics and their toplists. After more than two hours I haven't learned much except some nazi's were really sick, which isn't exactly a brilliant insight. As disgusting as the film is it managed to interest me for maybe half an hour, the remainder felt repetitive. I think the point of the film was made clear. 4.5/10
Idi i Smotri [Come and See] (Elem Klimov, 1985)
If there is one specific type of film I am avoiding it is anything confronting me with the horrors of WWII. I guess I use film mainly to escape from reality not to be confronted with one of the worst periods of human history. I heard about this film a couple of years ago already and wasn't reluctant to watch it. Somehow now I found myself in the right mood, knowing what to expect. Horrible imagery, but being a Russian film I was hoping for some cinematic poetry as well, this film delivers both. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and I will probably not watch it again soon. It is, however a stunning film, which left me silent and impressed on multiple levels, all in all I am happy to have found the guts to finally watch it. 9/10
Playtime (Jacques Tati, 1967)
Considered classic and I can see why. Tati creates some intelligent jokes through smart cinematography. The chaotic situations in the highly stylized and symmetrical sets work but this film consumes your energy fast. There is hardly any audible dialogue and so much going on. Nevertheless I can appreciate Tati's, who clearly critizes modern society, style but 90 minutes would have been sufficient. 7.5/10
The Age of Innocence (Martin Scorsese, 1993)
The story (from Edith Wharton's novel) is pretty standard with a lawyer in upper class New York in the late 19th century who is married but has a weak spot for the unconventional and scandalous countess Ellen. Not very special maybe but this film is made by Martin Scorsese and has Daniel Day-Lewis. This is a combination that lifts the film to a higher level, the cinematography, sets, editing and acting are all above average and a beautiful wrap on a powerful story about romance and life choices. 8/10
Roma (Federico Fellini, 1972)
After visiting the Fellini exposition in EYE Amsterdam I had to watch something of the Italian master. Roma shows fragments of Rome how it was in Fellini's early adolescence and how it is in the early seventies. I am usually not very excited about the fragmented and plotless approach, in this case it works partly (in fragments ;-)). The priest fashion show is by far the best scene of this film and shows how good Fellini can be. The observant viewer notices how Fellini criticizes 'modern' Rome, not in the last place in how he portrays it. Nevertheless, I prefer his earlier work (50's and 60's) above what he made in the 70's so far. 7/10
Spoorloos [The Vanishing] (George Sluizer, 1988)
Solid and for Dutch standards good film after Tim Krabbe's book (obligatory in high school). Having most of the dialogue in French and most of the events in France feels ' undutch' most of the time. I like how the ending 'disappoints'. 7.5/10
Ginger & Rosa (Sally Potter, 2012)
Wow. Elle Fanning delivers a stellar performance as the young Ginger in the roaring sixties. The world is about to be bombed, her father is an influential writer 'impressing' her best friend Rosa while Ginger already has a hard time dealing with growing up. This beautiful stylized coming-of-age story will rank as one of the best of the year. 8.5/10
Salo, or the 120 days of Sodom (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1975)
Yeah, well. I had to watch this according to some of the critics and their toplists. After more than two hours I haven't learned much except some nazi's were really sick, which isn't exactly a brilliant insight. As disgusting as the film is it managed to interest me for maybe half an hour, the remainder felt repetitive. I think the point of the film was made clear. 4.5/10
Idi i Smotri [Come and See] (Elem Klimov, 1985)
If there is one specific type of film I am avoiding it is anything confronting me with the horrors of WWII. I guess I use film mainly to escape from reality not to be confronted with one of the worst periods of human history. I heard about this film a couple of years ago already and wasn't reluctant to watch it. Somehow now I found myself in the right mood, knowing what to expect. Horrible imagery, but being a Russian film I was hoping for some cinematic poetry as well, this film delivers both. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and I will probably not watch it again soon. It is, however a stunning film, which left me silent and impressed on multiple levels, all in all I am happy to have found the guts to finally watch it. 9/10
Playtime (Jacques Tati, 1967)
Considered classic and I can see why. Tati creates some intelligent jokes through smart cinematography. The chaotic situations in the highly stylized and symmetrical sets work but this film consumes your energy fast. There is hardly any audible dialogue and so much going on. Nevertheless I can appreciate Tati's, who clearly critizes modern society, style but 90 minutes would have been sufficient. 7.5/10
The Age of Innocence (Martin Scorsese, 1993)
The story (from Edith Wharton's novel) is pretty standard with a lawyer in upper class New York in the late 19th century who is married but has a weak spot for the unconventional and scandalous countess Ellen. Not very special maybe but this film is made by Martin Scorsese and has Daniel Day-Lewis. This is a combination that lifts the film to a higher level, the cinematography, sets, editing and acting are all above average and a beautiful wrap on a powerful story about romance and life choices. 8/10
Le Passé (Asghar Farhadi, 2013)
Not as compelling as A Separation but the Iranian director shows that he masters the drama genre. Every emotion and nuance can be felt and therefore Farhadi and his perfect actors (the kid is awesome!) deserve credit. Hollywood can only dream of portraying so many emotional layers and motivations so skillful. I do believe that this film tries to incorporate too many characters and therefore lacks the focus and impact of its predecessor, which was a masterpiece, of course. 7.5/10
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