A Very Long Engagement
Yes, this movie was only playing in two theaters in all of L.A., but I was determined to see it before I went home and so, after church today, I did. Audrey Tatou teams up with the brilliant and visionary Jean-Pierre Jeunet (yes, the wonderful director of "AMELIE") to bring the world yet another glorious, rapturous, gorgous film. This time though, Jeunet has decided to take on World War I, and a love between two people that began when they were young.
Tatou is luminous once again, playing the role of a woman stricken with polio, who's waiting at the homefront for good news from the war regarding her fiancee. Unfortunatly, all news coming to her is not so good. But that will not destroy Tatou's character's hope, which is what the movie is really all about: the will and hope and desire and fight to live, whatever the circumstances.
Once again, Jeunet has created a story that builds up so much suspsense along the way, the final moments of the movie are literally, viewed while holding one's breath [see the "AMELIE" final scene where Amelie meets Nino in that no talking, silent, face-to-face match up in her apartment:)---only a cat getting sleepy-eyed can break such bottled anticipation and excitement]. With this movie, it's funny in parts, despite its heavy and dismal subject matter at times...but this makes it a nice mood change (and shift) from Jeunet's previous work in "AMELIE." Here, the romance is still there, but it carries much more weight this time around. But the production of "A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT" is nothing short of breathtaking. It would be a travesty for it to be overlooked in either best set/art director or best cinematography categories for the upcoming Oscars.
I wouldn't say that I liked "A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT" more than "AMELIE," but I will say that it was a worthy follow-up for Jeunet. It's as sad as movies can get, yet, at the same time, it's a movie that makes you want to look to the sky and think that tomorrow may very will be a much better day.
posted by Neville at 12/05/2004 10:01:00 PM
3 Comments:
Man, I'm so behind in my movie watching. I need to get back on the ball. I'm going to finally see Hero though on Thursday. Also looking forward to House of Flying Daggers. Looks cool.
I only hate you a little bit for seeing it before me. Can't wait.
chalupa, let me know what you think of "hero." i was kind of disappointed with it. maybe it was just when i was watching it and not really being in the mood, but there wasn't as much "audience involvement" present as there were in say, movies like "crouching tiger." although, i do still want to see "house of flying daggers." i think that one is supposed to be better anyway. "Hero" was beautifully shot but I just felt like it was missing something really big. Oh and Liz, I can't wait to hear what you think about this one! I want to talk to someone about it so see it as fast as you can!!!!!:)
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