Firstly, I believe that the previous Film/DVD thread should be moved to the "Classic" section. Secondly, in regards to
The Sopranos/
Six Feet Under, I wrote about their relative current fortunes
here.
A Very Long Engagement
This is certainly an improvement on the over-whimsicality of Amelie, and it seems that Jeneut has found a vechile which is able to join together all his varying cinematic impulses together. The trench warfare scenes, in particular, were superbly handled, given a gravitas that's kind of surprising from a director who is probably more reknowned for his excessive freewheeling.
Indeed, there's a particularly bleak moment in the destruction of the Milatary Hospital by the Zeppelin Fire. Apparently this is the most expensive "French" film ever made, even so its budget was 'only' at $45 million. Compare this, to, say
Windtalkers or
Pearl Harbour, and it's clear that not a single penny was wasted: the set design, special effects, and colour were all fantastic and vibrant. Perhaps there is a problem in the fact that there's essentially three films fighting against one another: Romantic epic, a ersatz follow-up to his
Amelie, War drama...and of course, the story, requires a great leap of faith and disbelief for it to work on any level.
But Audrey Tatou remains a tempting, delightful muse, and the overall story is gripping, if taking onboard possibly too many characters and subplots for its own good. Jodie Foster's role seemed nearly peripheral, but it was an affecting, if flowery vignette. And it really shouldn't of come as no surprise that she spoke perfect French, but perhaps French posters could ask me whether they detected an 'outside' accent. To an outsider, with little knowledge of my language (German is my forte), it sounded pretty good to me.
On the whole, a bold, at times over-reaching film, but a grand achievement in most respects.
It's before my time but I've been told, he never came back from Karangahape Road.
I just thought i'd point out to you that the other one was getting rather lengthy in case you really wanted to start the next one.
)
