Change Your Image
dechampsmathieu
Reviews
My Life in Ruins (2009)
One of the worst movies I've ever seen.
This is a really horrible movie, it's too bad, it's awful. It's a senseless combination of racist and sexist clichés, along with stupid touristic stereotypes and silly, dated puns (the jokes are so crude, so banal, that it's impossible even to have a good laugh) that can only disgust. I wonder why this film was a box office hit in Greece, where I live, since it is such a terrible, anachronistic insult to the country and its people. The direction is mediocre, the actors are worse and the plot is pure trash. It is so ridiculous, so irrelevant to the actual problems of this country, it is a movie that I'd rather forget. Nia Vardalos' "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was a pleasant comedy, nothing special but at least there were some successful puns and originality. This film works on the same pattern without any imagination, without any respect to the viewer and, furthermore, it's very long and boring.
The Comedians (1967)
Forgotten, but really interesting
When I bought "The Comedians" in DVD, I had never heard before of that movie, although I am a fan of the cinema of the specific era. Moreover, it surprised me I didn't know anything about a film with such an excellent cast: it isn't easy to find Burton, Taylor, Guinness, Ustinov, Gish and Ford in the same movie. And there was something else: it was based on a novel and written for the screen by an author whose work I admire: Graham Greene. Therefore, I was curious to find out why a movie with so many virtues flopped and was so soon forgotten. After watching it, I understood: "The Comedians" is a movie that was made for the general audience, a film that should be fun, fast and easy to digest, a typical Hollywood epic. However, it contains none of the classic ingredients: a) it isn't fun, it is a serious political drama, with a deeply British, cynical and black humour, b) it is not melodramatic enough and the love story between Burton and Taylor evolves quite unorthodoxically, without any clichés, c) it isn't fast at all, it's almost three hours without impressive action scenes and much - quite sophisticated - dialogue, d) it isn't easy to digest, it is a sad and bitter movie with an ambiguous ending. These are the reasons why "The Comedians" flopped, but they are also the reasons that make the film exceptionally interesting. Set in Tahiti during the dictatorship of Francois Duvalier ("Papa Doc"), an ideal location for Graham Greene's stories, it demonstrates the cruelty of the regime, through the story of 6 Westerners and some locals in the background. It is a big, flawless production providing food for thought accompanied by excellent cinematography, professional directing and a slow, but strong and memorable scenario. The claustrophobic atmosphere of the brutal dictatorship is exceptional, the actors give magnificent performances and it is also one of the few films that end without an answer, without a typical happy or tragic ending. I recommend it to viewers that enjoy films that provide more than a pleasant evening.
Nine (2009)
Disappointing musical remake of a masterpiece
Being a great fan of Fellini's 8 1/2, which is an indisputable masterpiece and one of the ten greatest movies in the history of cinema in my opinion, I never thought that "Nine" would be so tightly based on the original film; for one simple reason: 8 1/2 is a complete, almost flawless movie - there is nothing to add, technically or in the plot. The atmosphere, the directing, the music, the actors, the costumes are perfect in the Fellini movie and the existential aspect of the plot is rarely profound. Therefore, watching scenes from 8 1/2 recreated to the last detail by Rob Marshal doesn't make much sense to me - and there are many of them: the Saragina scene, the scene in the hotel with the mistress Penelope Cruz, the scene with Nicole Kidman in the fountain. I had thought that "Nine" would be inspired by 8 1/2, adding new ideas and evolving the original film, while paying homage to Fellini. What I found to my regret is a shallow replica of 8 1/2 for the wide audience and the average viewer, with superficial style and an almost touristic approach to the characters and the whole affair. What's left from the Fellini movie is the wrapping: the costumes, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the fuss - and even those are inferior. The lyrics of the songs - except for "Be Italian", which is pleasantly catchy - are unforgivably mediocre - the music is dull and uninspired, especially compared to the superb Nino Rota theme of 8 1/2. The one thing that saves the movie are the performances of the impressive all star cast: Irish actor Daniel Day-Lewis tries hard to "be Italian", Marion Cotillard is excellent in the role of his wife, as well as Penelope Cruz as his mistress. Judi Dench also gives a flawless performance as the costume designer and Fergie is a pleasant surprise. On the contrary Nicole Kidman - the cool blonde - is not suited for the part of Contini's muse (we would expect a more savage, Mediterranean beauty, like Claudia Cardinale in 8 1/2). I was happy to see again on the screen Sophia Loren in a small but memorable part and Kate Hudson gave a decent performance. It should also be added that the choreography is good and professional. The viewer that has not seen the Fellini movie will enjoy the film much more - it's fun, anyway. I would have enjoyed it more if they hadn't tried to copy, without adding anything and by weakening the substantial existential aspects of the plot - something that is clear in the scene with the cardinal.
Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970)
Preminger's fatigue and decadence
I have been for some time a great fan of Otto Preminger's work and cinematic career. From "Laura" (1944) to "Advise & Consent" (1962), the Austrian director has demonstrated that he is capable of indisputable Hollywood masterpieces. Yet, the later work of Preminger finds me puzzled and bewildered. "Tell me that you love me, Junie Moon" is certainly not a good film. On the contrary, it is a clear sign of the director's fatigue and decadence. The plot is full of outworn clichés and Marjorie Kellogg's screenplay is often weak and naive - from Arthur's ridiculous hallucinations to the vacation, there's nothing veritable. Moreover, Preminger doesn't seem to be interested to add his characteristic style in the direction. Some scenes are clumsily set and the film generally has the form of an unimaginative b-movie melodrama. The only two scenes that we can distinguish are the one in the cemetery and the visit to the rich landlady's house - Preminger successfully outlines the baroque atmosphere of these scenes. Liza Minelli gives a decent performance, Robert Moore is more interesting and Ken Howard typically mediocre. Finally, there is nothing special about the soundtrack - "Old Devil Time" is a dull and pretentious ballad and there's nothing memorable about the rest - which is very disappointing, as well as Saul Bass's opening title.