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Reviews
Confidences trop intimes (2004)
The Strangeness--and Rarity--of True Intimacy
Patrice LeConte's narrations always rely upon the loneliness of his characters and the complicated, hard-won way they connect with and comfort each other. In "Man on the Train" and "The Hairdresser's Husband," the incomparable Jean Rochefort plays the more outwardly gentle, hopeful and whimsical character, trying to establish common ground with his more explicitly troubled and fatalistic counterpart. Those two films end tragically; "Intimate Strangers" permits a more hopeful outcome. The character played by Fabrice Lucini--counter to the otherwise well-expressed views of TrevorAclea--offers continuous surprises with the unexpected expressiveness of his humble accountant's body and face. Look for him dancing in front of the mirror to Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour"; and consider his expression watching a former mistress walk away in the rain.
"Intimate Strangers" revolves around an interplay of honesty and concealment that will be familiar to anyone who has worked at being a couple. Some characters demand a fraudulent supremacy based on dependency, domination and sadism rather than the balance of power based on honesty, vulnerability and respect that the two main characters--and most of us--need to achieve intimacy. In this wonderful film, full of layered dangers and credible acts of courage, LeConte continues his masterful and immensely watchable exploration of the need and the fear of intimacy. The outcome creates an exhilaration absolutely rare in film, and absolutely admirable.
Grizzly Man (2005)
Brilliant "Fable" About Identity and Delusion
"Grizzly Man," directed by Werner Herzog, astounded and absorbed me, and has stayed with me long afterward. Herzog edited together film taken by Scott Treadwell, a strange, self-dramatizing young man who lived 13 years in the Alaskan wilderness, hanging out with grizzly bears--one of whom finally killed and ate him and his girlfriend. Herzog added his own interviews and narration after the event to Treadwell's remarkable wildlife footage and peculiar ramblings.
It is one of the most powerful, beautiful, deep and complex documentaries I ever expect to see--full of surprises. It left me thinking about how *provisional* identity is for many people--maybe for most people--and about the stories people tell themselves *about* themselves, and how people can turn the suffering induced by their damaged identities into a kind of ceremony that consists in equal parts of joy, dementia and. . . ummm . . . "self sacrifice." Undoubtedly a visual (and box office) wonder like "March of the Penguins" will waddle off with a bunch of honors. But "Grizzly Man" stands in the top ranks of all the documentaries I have seen for its narrative power. All Herzog's films use obsessive grotesques to disarm the viewer into admitting entree to thoughts and feelings that otherwise are defended against with great efficiency.
I truly admired the balance Herzog achieved in the tone of "Grizzly Man." He lets us see not only the most unnerving personality traits and awkward self-presentation in his people, but also their scattered shards of sweetness and authenticity. The film is so much about self presentation and self deception (and isolation, and death), but also ultimately about the most recognizable characteristics of human beings in a postulated world.
I Shout Love (2001)
Phenomenally skilled writing, direction, acting and editing
I was half-dozing as I watched a late night selection of short films--but sat bolt upright from the first frames of "I Shout Love" and could not take my eyes away for its full, brief, perfect length. With incredibly assured pacing and performances, this film maintains its funny/sad/insightful tone throughout. The credits at the end went by so quickly and in such small type, I had to go online to find out the person responsible for this master work. What a pleasing surprise to see the name of Sarah Polley, a major actress who is too seldom seen.
Kristen Thomsen (Tessa) and Matthew Ferguson (Bobby) turn in rich, touching performances as a couple in the throes of breaking up. As they work through a reprise of Tessa's favorite moments from their time together, both actors reveal dimensions of their characters and their relationship in ways that bring nothing but honor to their talents--and to the director/writer's skills. The film creates a moving narrative with laugh-out-loud moments and caught-breath sorrow.
"I Shout Love" is unquestionably one of the greatest and most memorable short films I ever expect to see. It has wit, heart and stunning originality. It matters.