From _Celine_ to _I have loved you so long_ 2
sept...@millenicom.com
academic villain and neurotic femme fatales in _My
Sex Life ..._ certainly have the a hint of the verve
and enigma of those in _Humbolt's Gift_. The story
unfolds in a messy, unorganized way, however. This
weakness isn't so notable in this film, where each
scene is quite lengthy and the characters have room
to breathe. It becomes progressively worse in _Kings
and Queens_ and is totally intolerable in _A Christmas
Tale_.
Watching Bigelow's _The Weight of Water_ right after
_My Sex Life ..._ is an interesting contrast. The visual
elegance and brilliant editing of Bigelow's film is a
delight from beginning to end. Being a Terrence Malick
fan from the start, I've always held that the space between
scenes is as important as the scenes themselves, and
the cutting just so well done here. There is a palpable,
smoldering sexuality among the "present day" cast,
even nothing is shown explicitly. Sean Penn, can always
be counted on to shed tears beautifully, and the underrated
Catherine McCormack, primarily a stage actress now, is
mesmerizing. The 19th century back story is much less
effective. Sarah Polley ruins it. Her Scandinavian accent
is pitch-perfect, but her affected emotionless delivery,
even at the moments of extreme distress, becomes totally
unconvincing. Oh well, After watching this DVD, I swore
that I'll see _The Hurt Locker_ on the big screen. Still
haven't had the chance yet.
_Games of Love and Chance_ looks even better on my
second viewing. I guess I never even noticed that it was
shot on video the first time. Sara Forestier is amazing.
I've heard a couple people complain about the gangsta
talk among the teenagers. Personally I don't mind that;
perhaps not knowing French affords me a comfortable
distance. But they are just kids; it means nothing!