Running Time: 98 minutes
Directed By: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Written By: Agnieszka Holland, Slavomir Idziak, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Edward Zebrowski
Main Cast: Juliette Binoche, Benoit Regent, Florence Pernel, Guillaume de Tonquedec, Charlotte Very
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HEALING
Probably should have done some sort of "Kieslowski Week" thing or even posted an announcement saying that the "colors movies" were upcoming, but I went for the "spring it on you" option instead. As a bonus, I'll also be writing a full, formal review for "White", which should probably be up tomorrow.
Julie de Courcy (Binoche), her husband Patrice (a famous composer) and their little girl Ana are involved in an automobile accident, at the beginning of the film - an accident which kills Patrice and Ana. In the hospital, Julie dons a neck brace, an arm cast and several bumps & bruises and is inconsolable when it comes to the loss of her family. She tries to kill herself by taking a handful of pills, but can't go through with it and instead, upon her hospital release, decides to distance herself from everyone she knows. She sells the family mansion, throws Patrice's unfinished compositions in the garbage, allows herself to be sexually taken by a family friend whom has always had a crush on her and then moves into a small apartment, where she plans to live as a recluse. During her healing process, Julie meets and befriends her next door neighbor, a stripper named Lucille (Very), whom everyone in the building wants evicted, save for Julie. Julie spends her nights in a local, public swimming pool, exercising herself out, perhaps a way of escaping the tears that won't seem to come for her perished family. As the title suggests, blue is the prevalent color in the picture, with many of the set pieces and props being blue, not to mention the mood of the main character.
I had seen this one once before, but for the life of me, couldn't remember the bulk of it. Therefore, this was really a fresh watch for me and to be honest, this one was a tough nut to crack. By that, I mean I'm still trying to decide whether it was a masterpiece or whether it was just really boring, with a plot that was barely enough to make a short film, let alone a feature. At about the thirty minute mark, I'd decided that "Blue" wasn't doing much for me and I'd ride it out, write up a negative review and be done with it. However, the damn thing just kept sucking me in and I'll be damned if I didn't end up really liking it. What I liked about it, I do not know - perhaps the mood, the atmosphere, the subtleties, the artistry, the somber nature of the whole thing...who knows. All I can tell you is that this is one of those films where the enjoyability of it all is NOT important, but rather the experience and the fact that you just KNOW you're watching something a little more special than all the other tripe being produced.
Keep peeled eyes for the outstanding performance from Binoche, who performs a seminar on how to BECOME heartbreak and depression. There are some other people in there too, but let's be honest - this is a one woman show and that show is named BINOCHE. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the name Slawomir Idziak, the cinematographer of the picture and a brilliant one at that. You know you're watching the work of someone who knows what they're doing and not just some schmuck that had a degree.
RATING: 7.5/10 It's probably going to be one of those movies that is a "love it or hate it" deal. It could easily be construed as boring, if seen by the right eyes, but it also oozes master filmmaking.
MOVIES WATCHED: 757
MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 244
November 9, 2013 5:42pm
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