I'm French-American and have paid my dues growing up with my mother feeding me French cinema. As it stands, though I am a bit delighted to see many people (esp. Americans) enjoy this film, I am *totally* confused by it!
This movie has got to be one of the most BORING movies I've ever seen! Period. What's worse, I couldn't remember the last time a movie's whole equaled less than the sum of its parts. There was Emanualle Beart, who(and I know I'm not alone when I say this) may be the most beautiful actress on Earth. Not to mention she fits the part of a violinist well. There's her agent, that older lady, who's amiable. Maxim was kinda' boring, but seemed like a cool guy. Even that big, short lady with that alcoholic husband were good to watch. The problem is that...well, I should say *problems*, 'cause I had two beefs wthis flick.........
One is that Daniel Auteuil...I'm sorry....."Stephane"...was so unbearable to watch. At least for me. I know that he was in reality still married to Beart during this time, and usually that works for couples as far as on-screen chemistry. But here it almost seemed to work against them. In all the hoopla and drama about how he repaired her violin and she saw a certain emptiness in his eyes blah, blah, blah, I still could not see what a *gifted*, young, beautiful, intelligent musician would see in such a loser. He said he had tried to seduce her, he "GUESSES" to "get back at Maxim". For doing WHAT exactly, to him? Why was everything intentionally obscure? Which brings me to my second problem with this disaster...
Why does every sentence of dialogue have to do with what someone *thinks* they should feel about something? Orwith someone answering their own question (literally) while talking to someone else? The dialogue was just so annoying, because it felt so unsubstantiated. The only thing(and I mean ONLY) that kept me awake while watching this was the hope that there would be sparks when the two would start kissing, or more, or...at least SOME kind of romantic emotion. The only dialogue I actually liked was the one between Camille and her agent. Their relationship is an interesting one and could have gained more screen-time, in my opinion. Instead of this dull, lifeless so-called infatuation with this stupid guy who acts like he's above everyone else as his eyes gaze cluelessly off into space. Yeah, he's deep.
POSSIBLE SPOILER - I said that the only thing that kept me awake watching it the 1st time was a possible love scene. Now, since I know there *are* none, I can definitely use this film instead of having to take sleeping pills so I don't have to be groggy in the morning. Even if I can't sleep bc I'm hyper, this film will never fail to induce sleeping.
END SPOILER ***************
Hey, I'm NO violinist; but I see that other musicians commented on the credibility of the terms and playing of violins used. I'ts actually refreshing that for once there is a movie that is at least more musically accurate than it is entertaining.
I HAVE, however, seen many,many,many, MANY French films and now realize that even the worst films I was spoonfed as a child were award-winners compared to this one, entertainment-wise. If you want to see a sad, unresolved movie, go watch <Ponette>. Or if you want to see an AWESOME movie with both Daniel Auteuil and Emanuelle Beart, rent <Manon des Sources>. But I'm sure most people have ALREADY seen the latter. =)
-Sep
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