I've never sat down and written out a Top 10 Best Movies list, but if I ever was
to I'm pretty sure BELLE DE JOUR would be on that list.
Séverine (Catherine Deneuve) is the bored housewife of a young doctor. She
is unable to be intimate with her husband, whom she loves. At the same
time, she idles her days away dreaming about various sexual fantasies.
Most of them dealing with domination and sadomasochism. Early on in the
film there is a brief shot of an older man feeling up and kissing a terrified
little girl. Could this be Séverine as a child? Either way,
BELLE DE JOUR is a fascinating look at a woman exploring her sexuality, both
mentally and physically.
After hearing from a lecherous friend of a friend about a small whorehouse that
specializes in more upscale and private adult entertainment, Séverine cannot
stop thinking about it and eventually goes to investigate for herself.
She's nervous, but the wise madam senses that Séverine is the type that
needs a forceful hand, so she simply leaves her in a room with a regular
customer. Afterwards, Séverine is like a reborn woman. She is much
more cheerful around her husband and the more she explores her sexual desires at
the brothel...the happier she is. Things change, though, when a dangerous
new customer falls in love with Séverine.
BELLE DE JOUR is Bunuel's first film in colour and it's a masterpiece. The
story, the camerawork, the surrealist elements, the acting, the fashions...every
time I watch this film I'm enraptured and can't take my eyes off the
screen. Every shot is a masterpiece. It also doesn't hurt that
Deneuve was at her absolute most radiant during the late 1960's.
I cannot recommend this film enough. Required viewing for anybody
interested in world cinema.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE? (2001)
I don't know what time is it there, but it's time to take a fucking nap here! Get my slumber on.
A lonely dude, who spends his days selling watches out of a suitcase and his nights peeing into plastic objects in his bedroom, has a female customer one day who wants to buy his watch. The watch on his arm. He refuses at first, but once she tells him she's leaving the country for Paris he finally agrees. He doesn't seem to be interested in her at all, but for whatever reason for the rest of the movie he's obsessed with changing the time on every clock he sees to Paris time. What does this all mean? I have no clue.
I'm sure the story has something to do with loneliness and the feeling of loss (his father recently died) and I'm sure some people will be really moved by the unhurried pace and the complete lack of camera movement, but it just bored me to tears. I love slow cinema, but at some point along the way something needs to happen. An interesting character, a story, an ending. Anything will do. Watching this wordless dude fiddling with clock hands isn't a story. But what do I know? Maybe it's too staggeringly brilliant film for my simple little brain to comprehend. Skip it.
If you need me I'll be in my room watching DON'T LAUGH AT MY ROMANCE.
A lonely dude, who spends his days selling watches out of a suitcase and his nights peeing into plastic objects in his bedroom, has a female customer one day who wants to buy his watch. The watch on his arm. He refuses at first, but once she tells him she's leaving the country for Paris he finally agrees. He doesn't seem to be interested in her at all, but for whatever reason for the rest of the movie he's obsessed with changing the time on every clock he sees to Paris time. What does this all mean? I have no clue.
I'm sure the story has something to do with loneliness and the feeling of loss (his father recently died) and I'm sure some people will be really moved by the unhurried pace and the complete lack of camera movement, but it just bored me to tears. I love slow cinema, but at some point along the way something needs to happen. An interesting character, a story, an ending. Anything will do. Watching this wordless dude fiddling with clock hands isn't a story. But what do I know? Maybe it's too staggeringly brilliant film for my simple little brain to comprehend. Skip it.
If you need me I'll be in my room watching DON'T LAUGH AT MY ROMANCE.
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