Tag Archives: French

2011 Films, Drama, Éric Toledano, François Cluzet, French, International, International Drama, Olivier Nakache, Omar Sy

The Intouchables-2011

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The Intouchables-2011

Director Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano

Starring Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy

Scott’s Review #135

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Reviewed July 26, 2014

Grade: C

The Intouchables (2011) is a French comedy-drama that tells the story of a wealthy, intelligent quadriplegic man named Philippe (Olivier Nakache), who hires a poor, angry black man, named Driss (Omar Sy), who is uninterested in the position, as his caregiver.

The film is a story of their bond and friendship and is a buddy movie.

What starts as simply an employer/employee relationship turns into something much deeper.

The Intouchables received rave reviews and was a huge hit in France, but, for me, it disappoints, and I am not getting the love for this movie.

I found the message and theme of the story dated- yet another film about a wealthy sophisticated white man taking a working-class, volatile black man under his wing and the black man helping him achieve some sort of self-fulfillment.

The Blind Side (2009) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989) have done this before along with countless other films.

Yes, they become close friends, but the stereotypical racial dynamic is prevalent. How many more times must this dynamic be shown in modern film?

This is not to say that the film is poorly made. The relationship between the two men and the mixtures of each of their respective cultures is charming and, at times, heartwarming.

The way that Driss helps Philippe garner the courage to meet a woman he has been having a letter-writing relationship with is nice.

The views of Paris are lovely and plentiful.

But, overall The Intouchables (2011) comes across as a stereotypical, safe, predictable film.

1959 Films, Art, Drama, Francois Truffaut, French, International, International Drama

The 400 Blows-1959

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The 400 Blows-1959

Director Francois Truffaut

Starring Jean-Pierre Leaud

Scott’s Review #88

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Reviewed July 2, 2014

Grade: A

The 400 Blows is a French New Wave masterpiece from 1959 that is heartbreaking yet beautiful in its storytelling.

It tells the story of Antoine, a kindhearted yet hardened teen boy who is forced out on his own to live a tough life on the streets of Paris.

It is autobiographical of sorts as director Francois Truffaut suffered a childhood similar to the boy.

Misunderstood and mistreated by his parents and schoolteachers, Antoine must survive and thrive as a teenage runaway who cannot get a break in life.

Shot in Paris and featuring gorgeous shots of the city, the black and white filming adds to the bleakness and coldness of this young boy’s life and Truffaut was the first to use the common still-frame close-up of angst and the scenes of Antoine running from the city along the beach are some of the most beautiful in film history.

Truffaut influenced a generation of directors with his very personal brand of storytelling.

The 400 Blows is not always a pleasant film, but an important and influential one in art cinema.

Young actor Jean-Pierre Leaud gives an excellent performance.

Oscar Nominations: Best Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

2001 Films, Comedy, French, International, International Comedy, International Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy

Amelie-2001

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Amelie-2001

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Starring Audrey Tatou

Scott’s Review #74

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Reviewed June 27, 2014

Grade: C+

Amelie (2001) was a major disappointment for me. Critically acclaimed and admired, I did not get this movie at all.

First the positives: this film is French, which gives it an edge for the beautiful language and the setting of France.

The cinematography, art direction, and set design are inventive and unique. The movie has a magical, whimsical feel to it which is appealing.

The story, however, is an enormous drawback.

The central character, a waif-like, sweet, waitress is lonely and feels unloved, yet avoids meeting the man of her dreams by playing a cat-and-mouse game of leaving silly notes and sending him on wild goose chases because she is afraid of happiness, yet she does everything she can to ensure others find happiness.

The story did not work for me at all, but I admire the creativity of the film itself.

Perhaps I should allow myself a second viewing as this film received much fanfare.

Oscar Nominations: Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen/Original Screenplay, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Sound, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Foreign Film (won)

1972 Films, Best International Film Oscar Winners, Dark Comedy, French, International, Luis Bunuel, Satire

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie-1972

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The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie-1972

Director Luis Bunuel

Starring Fernando Rey, Paul Frankeur

Scott’s Review #13

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) is a wonderful French satire by Director Luis Bunuel.

The movie is very strange- three well-to-do couples meander from dinner party to dinner party and, due to circumstances beyond their control (an incorrect date, a mysterious corpse, and a military raid) never end up sitting down and enjoying a meal together.

How the individuals are wealthy is a bit vague though there is mention of drug smuggling.

It’s unclear who is matched up with whom since frolicking amongst them is commonplace. Several of them experience odd fantasy/dream sequences throughout and oftentimes are seen walking aimlessly down the road.

The entire film is tongue-in-cheek and pokes fun at the wealthy class.

It’s offbeat but highly enjoyable.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Produced or Published, Best Foreign Language Film (won)