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Belle de jourRating:
Release Date: 02 September, 2003 Retail Price: $19.99 OUR Price: $14.99 You SAVE: $5.00! Cast: |
Belle de jour Reviews
For Those Not Typically Into Foreign Film
I don't often watch foreign films. The reason being, as an American, I don't feel that I can ever fully grasp the cultural and linguistic subtleties needed to truly understand and enjoy these works. French.... Spanish.... German... etc.... regardless of nationality, genre, or time period, they generally leave me cold.
With that in mind, I went into this with no doubts as to the film's greatness, but again, didn't think as an American I would be able to see it, as the situational nuances would be lost on me. As it turned out, I was wrong, and found a sublime masterpiece that went down easily, and didn't seem obtuse or "foreign". The experience could best be likened to watching "The Graduate", as you find yourself viewing seemingly mundane events and conversations, but the subtle turns in those events and words speak of such depth and gravity that you feel almost driven to your knees by the masterwork that you are watching.
I won't recap the storyline, or discuss details of the movie itself, I just wanted to say that I went into this skeptical, expecting to find a picture that I couldn't relate to, but what I found was an immediate, compelling and moving work that speaks volumes of the human condition.
Without Question, A Great Film
Before any of you freak out at the three stars I ve given the film, hear me out. Its three stars based on how much I enjoyed the film, not on the quality of the artistry in the picture. Thus three stars because I did enjoy it, but ultimately, I dont see myself ever going back to it nor do I think it might dominate my thoughts or imagination for long either. Its simply how heavy was I hit by this film, and the honest answer is, enough to enjoy it throughout the viewing, but not much beyond that.
To also address any potential crys about the actual technical qualtiy of the print; its fine. Similar to older Bond pictures, the quality of sound and screen is not what you d find in a New Star Wars, but more like what you might find in an old one. In other words, if this is really something that bothers you, it might be wise to watch nothing older than say, maybe, '95, cause you might get distracted. Get over it.
Now the film is intriguing. It does show a really interesting view of the ways someone can be effected so subconciously as a child and carry over those pains to their adult life in very odd and truly disturbing desires. Its about a women who clearly cant figure out what makes her tick when it comes to men, and though she knows its wrong, gets her thrills over prostituting herself. I feel its very relavent today, and is something more people go through than one might expect; it just doesnt always culminate in becoming a prostitute.
But ultimately this is where I think I just couldnt connect with the film any deeper. I dont find this moving nor really profound. Its a simply story of a women searching for her true self and having to accept her demons to get there. So to sum it up simply, tis a great film and worthy of all the praise it recieves, but it takes something different to hit me in the gut.
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