Amour (2012) Review by Shivom Oza - A Compelling Film On Unconditional Love

3/5 Stars

The lives of Georges and Anne, both of them retired music teachers, change when one of them gets a paralytic stroke. The film is about unconditional love.

'Amour' plays out the emotional card wonderfully. The two leads deliver outstanding performances. However, in its entirety, 'Amour' leaves a lot to be desired. The winner of Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival this year, the Austrian film was screened at the 14^th Mumbai Film Festival as a part of the 'World Cinema' section.

   

Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) are retired music teachers leading a comfortable life in their plush apartment in Paris. Their daughter Eva, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her estranged husband.

All goes fine for the couple, until one day when Anne suffers an attack which paralyses her arm. Her condition worsens post a surgery where she bears the brunt of the 5 per cent failure rate. It is at this point, where Anne is confined to the wheelchair and her bed throughout the day, when the love between the couple is really tested. Georges and Anne still try to lead their lives as normally as they possibly can, given the circumstances.

However, with Anne's growing problems and Georges' own old-age concerns, there are pitfalls one too many. The story is pretty simple. The film is more about 'individual moments'. Georges' inner struggle, the love for his wife, his defiance in ignoring the 'expert' advice of his daughter and his neighbours and battling his own old-age problems, are captured wonderfully. Eva, in spite of being devastated owing to her mother's condition, is shown to be a more practical person rather than an emotional one. Although she does pay the odd visits to her ailing mother, that emotional connect isn't quite there. The atmosphere of a family, wherein you have someone as ill as Anne, is portrayed realistically. There are no emotional outbursts, just helpless, melancholic sighs. Silence plays an important part in the film. Although it wonderfully captures the mood, it does slow the film down considerably.

The rapport between the husband and the wife is wonderfully shown. Immense control in needed to play such characters, and both Jean-Louis and Emmanuelle come out shining. The film, albeit not a heart-wrenching love story, is a sensitive take on old-age. At many points, you will relate to the story notwithstanding your age. On the outset, it is about old-age love but the subject does have a universal appeal. Is love only about finding convenience or is it about adjusting and fending for the other person? If it is the latter, then how far can you go? 'Amour' answers this question. Michael Haneke delivers a fine film. This is as real as cinema can get. Tedious it may be, but it still remains 'real'.

Just because it has won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, does not make it a must-watch. Those who are not fond of 'meditative' films will not like this one. For the rest, love is not as rosy as some books and movies portray.

Shivom Oza

Holy Motors (2012) Review by Shivom Oza - Awe-striking, Awe-inspiring, Awe-some

4/5 Stars

The film, Holy Motors, directed by Leos Carax, competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It revolves around a day in the life of Monsier Oscar.

Denis Lavant is terrific as the maverick Monsieur Oscar. Not often do you find an actor, who embodies such versatility in his range. The make-up department deserves special mention. Direction and writing par excellence! The film was screened at the 14th Mumbai Film Festival under the 'Rendezvous With French Cinema' category.

Monsieur Oscar (Denis Lavant) is man of many moods and faces. He is shows as someone whose 'profession' is to transform from one character to another. So, he is shown as a businessman, an assassin, a beggar, a monster and even a mutant (somewhat!). It is never made clear through the running of the film as to what Oscar's motives are. He is chauffeured around by an elderly, gentle lady who is doing her job of keeping her master safe. The two move around Paris running one assignment after another. The so-called assignments range from amusing to absurd. You have Oscar and a woman shown fornicating, albeit with their latex body suits on. There's another sequence wherein Oscar is supposed to kill a former accomplice Theo. Following the stabbing, he makes Theo's corpse appear exactly like him so as to make it look like his assassination. However, it does not go as planned and what you have is two Oscars lying on the floor in a pool of blood. There's one particular sequence in which Oscar is shown playing the accordion, and subsequently being joined by an orchestra. This particular instrumental is stupendous and the way it has been shot is mind-blowing. The story of the film is not linear. There are different interpretations that you can extract out of this French masterpiece. However, at no point does the film get tiring. It does get confusing, albeit pleasantly confusing! If that's an emotion!

The performances given by the lead actor and the rest of the supporting cast are marvellous. The make-up is out-of-this-world. The cinematography deserves special mention as do the special effects team.

Don't take this film too literally. Sit back, relish the proceedings. Once the film's over, give a long thought about what it's trying to convey. It has many connotations - political, man vs machine, religion v/s science. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as someone in the film says. Apt for the film itself!

It's a different kind of film alright, but it is one that you should watch!

Shivom Oza

The Dandelions (2012) Review by Shivom Oza – Delightful Adult Comedy With Kids!

4/5 Stars

Rachel, a shy 9-year-old-girl, befriends the over-enthusiastic Valerie from her class. Both of their families bear the brunt, at least initially, of their over-zealousness.

The wondrous screenplay, sparkling subtitling (and presumably dialogue as well) and the mind-blowing performances by the cast, make ‘The Dandelions’ a must, must watch. Director Carine Tardieu makes a memorable film that should be watched and cherished. The Dandelions was screened at the 14th Mumbai Film Festival as a part of the 'Rendezvous With French Cinema' category.

Rachel (Juliette Gombert) and Valerie (Anna Lemarchand) instantly hit it off during their first meeting. Rachel, initially a shy and a reserved girl, gets introduced to a new world (that of grownups) by Valerie. Together, they spy on their teacher, discuss her sexual exploits, use cuss words, share almost everything under the sun, and feel free to shed their inhibitions. However, Rachel has her own problems at home whereas Valerie is diagnosed with a deadly disease. Rachel's mother Colette Gladstein (Agnes Jaoui) suspects her husband Michel Gladstein (Denis Podalydes) of having an affair with Valerie's mother Catherine (Isabelle Carre). This situation brings along its own pathos-filled humour. The film tackles various issues concerning adults through the perspective of the two girls. Humour is one of the mainstays of this film with rib-tickling dialogues and sequences. Most of them, however, are filled with sexual innuendo. Still, most of you will end up finding them funny.

Superb cinematography by Antoine Monod, along with masterful editing, plays a great role in making ‘The Dandelions’ the masterpiece that it is. Every member of the cast is absolutely fantastic. The little girls are delightful. Even the actors playing the 'elder' roles are equally 'childlike', given the light nature of the film.

This film will make you laugh, smile, cry and reflect a bit. A joyous experience!

Shivom Oza

Gebo And The Shadow (2012) Review by Shivom Oza – Compelling Family Saga!

3/5 Stars

Before anything about this film is mentioned, it must be noted that the director of ‘Gebo And The Shadow’, Manoel de Oliveira, will turn 104 this year. The abundant experience showed in his storytelling style. The film, adapted from a play, doesn't end up seeming too different from a theatrical presentation itself. It revolves around Gebo, his wife and his daughter-in-law, coping up with the notoriousness of his son, who is an outlaw.  

The film ends up becoming a compelling conversational drama. First-rate performances by the cast, astute cinematography and the simple screenplay, add a great deal of charm to the film. 

Gebo, his wife, Doroteia, and daughter-in-law, Sofia, are troubled by the prolong absence of Joao. While the mother is anxious to see her son, who has turned out to be a dreaded criminal, again, she is all the more saddened by the fact that her husband is hiding something from her. Sofia, although quite eagerly waiting for her husband to return, fears that once he does, things may not be the same. One day, Joao does arrive but ends up worsening the financial and the mental condition of his family.

The film is primarily about how much trust you can possibly invest in your loved ones. It also deals with the fact that no matter how miserable life gets, one should not do anything that leaves a question mark over their conscience. The film is mainly a conversational drama. Even the scenes hardly move beyond the living room, giving the film a play-like feel. The dialogue is wonderfully written and even the subtitling is well-done.

 

On an idealistic level, the film is open to various interpretations. The best thing about the film is that no character is entirely righteous or negative. They have their own justifications for the way they behave and it does make sense too. In real life, you don't seem people undergoing a sea-change in their basic nature and that is exactly what the film conveys. 

The dialogues may get a bit monotonous. It does get difficult following the proceedings in the middle where there's continuous conversation among the characters. Even tougher, for those who have to read the subtitles! However, the film is thought-provoking, without being overtly preachy. Fairly gripping as well!

Shivom Oza

The Intouchables (2012) Review by Shivom Oza – The French Emote And How!

3.5/5 Stars

Based on the book "You Changed My Life" by Abdel Sellou, ‘The Intouchables’ is an uplifting comedy about human bonding, trust and hope. It is about the friendship between a handicapped millionaire Philippe (François Cluzet) and his caretaker Driss (Omar Sy). It begins with a false start for Driss, who finds it difficult to adapt to this new routine where he has to literally ‘baby-sit’ his master. Subsequently, he gets closer to Philippe, hence developing a close friendship. There are a lot of funny moments in this film. Embedded within them are some harsh realities that exist in any human society. During its closing moments the film fills the viewer with a lot of hope and goodness (much needed in this day and age).

The performances are excellent. François Cluzet, who plays the rich quadriplegic, gives a brilliant performance. In spite of being confined to a wheelchair throughout the film, he manages to hold your attention till the very end. Be it in the scene where he fakes an epileptic attack or one in which he is getting turned on by a lady masseuse rubbing his ears, François acts to sublime perfection.

As for the caretaker played by Omar Sy, the character had to be goofy, intense, compassionate, helpless, righteous, directionless and so much more at the same time. Omar Sy’s role was a tall ask, and the actor performs with a lot of ease.

The writing was the most interesting aspect in the film. The film was interspersed with understated scenes and subtle dialogues. There was nothing over-the-top about the performances. No emotional outbursts, unnecessary tears or pointless melodrama. This film was purely about the relationship between a master and his caretaker. The friendship part, although not blatantly portrayed, did appear at regular intervals.

The story moves along nicely in spite of not having too many side-tracks. The film was more of a collection of moments, than being a narrative. The film speaks less, yet ends up conveying so much more.

The music (by Ludovico Einaudi) comprises an eclectic mix. The selection was great and even the background score perfectly tailors into the narrative of the film.

Since this French film was dubbed in English and not subtitled, it would not be possible to comment on the dialogue delivery of the artistes. However, the dubbing is neatly done. Not for a moment do the words and the lip movement seem out-of-sync. Since the operative language was French, it must have been much easier for the dubbing artistes to pull off the dialogues. The dubbed version is perfect for the Indian audiences, since a majority is not accustomed to watching foreign-language films with subtitles.

The directors (Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano) do a marvellous job of adapting this story. Although, the film does run a little long at 2 hours, the message is well-intended and conveyed well.

A simple plot about complex relationships along with an enthralling score and brilliant performances, make ‘The Intouchables’ a must-watch.

The Intouchables has grossed more than $300 million worldwide (excluding the US), which is a record for a foreign-language movie. Omar Sy has bagged a Cesar Award for Best Actor (the first Black actor to ever do so). Hence, if not for the touching storyline and the heart-rending performances, watch it for it’s been accepted worldwide. You should accept it too. (First Posted in MSN)

Shivom Oza