This was probably my fourth French movie. Up until then, I had only watched Chinese saga movies. Those dramas were long and rather confusing. Once I left home, I was able to test out experiences that I could not find at home.
I watched this because of Emmanuelle Béart. I first saw her in Manon du Source and fell in love with her classic beauty. Until her, I did not realize that there really were women quite that arresting in looks. When I think of the phase, "A face that launched a thousand ships", I think of Ms. Béart. Sure there are models galore that are supposed to be beautiful. They were all just 2 dimensional faceless mannequins that I could care less about. Watching the emotions and expressions of Ms. Béart flit across her countenance, I could not help being drawn into her characters.
Summary According to Netfix:
Sexual tension flares and fizzles in this subtle French drama set in the confines of a violin shop. Stephane (Daniel Auteuil), the chief instrument builder, is so committed to his work that he barely notices the beautiful young violinist (Emmanuelle Beart) who's sharing a bed with his business partner, Maxime (Andre Dussollier). Problems arise, however, when she aims her passions at Stephane's cold heart.
Length:
101 minutes
Director:
Claude Sautet
Cast:
Daniel Auteuil
Emmanuelle Béart
Andre Dussollier
Elisabeth Bourgine
Brigitte Catillon
Myriam Boyer
Jean-Claude Bouillaud
Stanislas Carre de Malberg
This movie was yet another one I watched in my militant feminist college years. I must admit that this movie probably didn't help the men in my life. Watching this when dating a male who was obviously older, yet definitely less than I in ambition, motivation and perhaps potential, the feelings I felt after watching Un Coeur en Hiver was rather detrimental to Edmund (my then bf).
Where to begin? Although this movie was ranked only as a 4 star for me, it touched me in such a way that I named my blog after the movie. Was it because I bonded with Ms. Béart's character or was it because I felt like Stephane, the violin maker? Honestly, it is probably a little of both.
What was it about this movie that spoke to me so? At the time, I believe it was the rage I felt for a woman so talented with a great future ahead of her, and she throws it all away on a male who could care less. It was obvious that the violinist was going places. And yet she messes it up by entangling herself with a man who was not worthy of her attention. Stephane was a true workaholic. He loved his job so much that it exclude everything else.
Sure Stephane would release his sexual needs on Camille (Béart) whenever he could. She was just a convenient hole to him. Harsh, but my interpretation as a militant 19 year old feminist. My anger was directed at him for not welcoming and wanting to partner with her. How could he get her emotions so tangled that she starts to lose it all? Really, he is the heart in winter. Watching the movie made me determined to be un coeur en hiver so that I would never be as devastated as Camille. No man would destroy my career ambitions or bring me down ever again. (Hence the first ex-bf)
As I look back and watch the movie again years later, I see quite a bit more, having experienced life and (gone through quite a few more males). The fault lays with both. The affair should never had occurred, and perhaps a friendship may have bloomed and stayed. To watch the heartache Camille went through and the high ups and downs, it reminds me that youth enjoys these roller coasters that are not as desirable later in life. Camille's lover Maxime is not the ideal partner either, but at least he tries to be a partner.
It does make me wonder about women who are so driven. What is about us that likes the bad boys badly enough to be burned time and time again? It is almost as if these women purposely sabotage themselves with horrid relationships that only bring the worst out in them.
I recommend this movie to all my fellow sisters who have ambition to do well . . . let this be an example of how easily it would be to fall off the ledge.
Showing posts with label 4 Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4 Stars. Show all posts
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Belle époque ****
Belle époque is one of my favourite comedies. A brief synopsis from Netflix:
Handsome young soldier Fernando (Jorge Sanz) deserts from the army during the Spanish Civil War and befriends a free-thinking artist. But when he meets his new friend's four daughters, he finds himself in a romantic dilemma -- which woman should he romance? In a neat twist, the women do the deciding, as each in her turn tries to seduce him. Penelope Cruz co-stars in this passionately comic romp.
Length:
109 minutes
Director:
Fernando Trueba
Cast:
Penélope Cruz
Jorge Sanz
Miriam Diaz Aroca
Gabino Diego
Fernando Fernán Gómez
Michel Galabru
Ariadna Gil
Agustin Gonzalez
Chus Lampreave
Mary Carmen Ramirez
Maribel Verdú
This enchantingly hilarious movie in my opinion is about a boy who wants to do the honourable thing. The young man has left the army because he no longer wants to fight. He befriends an old man who is living along at the time. The old man gives the Fernando a bed for the night. They become drinking buddies for a bit. Since the old man's four daughters are due to arrive soon, he rushes Fernando to the train station before all hell breaks loose.
Fernando is about to get on the train when the four sisters arrive. He is spellbound. The cinematography at the point of arrival was very good. Even I was entranced. Of course, now that Fernando has seen the four stunning women, he can't leave. He sniffs after them like a tom cat. I must admit it is rather funny to watch as Fernando is seduced by each of the sisters.
Each one of the daughters possesses a different personality. It is hard to even figure out how these four women could be sisters. The sisters lead him on a merry chase. The 3 older ones are all experienced and enjoy a good tumble. After each tumble, Fernando feels he must do the right thing. The right thing is to offer to marry them. The old man laughs as Fernando tries to speak to him about marrying his daughters. After each unsuccessful marriage proposal, Fernando is determined to leave. He never quite makes it out . . .
******************** SPOILERS **********************
The most amusing proposal is when he asks for the 2nd eldest sister's hand in marriage. The sister is played by Adriana Gil. Adriana plays the butch tom boy to the hilt. Even in the act of sex, she is dressed as a man and Fernando is a dressed as a girl. She takes him by riding on top. Poor Fernando is overwhelmed. When Fernando goes to the old man and states he now wants to marry Adriana, the old man nearly keels over laughing. Fernando finds out it is because the old man considers Adriana as a son he never had.
At the end, Fernando finally marries the youngest daughter, played by Penélope Cruz before she was famous in the States.
The mischief that the 3 older sisters play on Fernando is always fun to watch. I recommend this light hearted flick to anyone wanting a fun Saturday afternoon movie.
Handsome young soldier Fernando (Jorge Sanz) deserts from the army during the Spanish Civil War and befriends a free-thinking artist. But when he meets his new friend's four daughters, he finds himself in a romantic dilemma -- which woman should he romance? In a neat twist, the women do the deciding, as each in her turn tries to seduce him. Penelope Cruz co-stars in this passionately comic romp.
Length:
109 minutes
Director:
Fernando Trueba
Cast:
Penélope Cruz
Jorge Sanz
Miriam Diaz Aroca
Gabino Diego
Fernando Fernán Gómez
Michel Galabru
Ariadna Gil
Agustin Gonzalez
Chus Lampreave
Mary Carmen Ramirez
Maribel Verdú
This enchantingly hilarious movie in my opinion is about a boy who wants to do the honourable thing. The young man has left the army because he no longer wants to fight. He befriends an old man who is living along at the time. The old man gives the Fernando a bed for the night. They become drinking buddies for a bit. Since the old man's four daughters are due to arrive soon, he rushes Fernando to the train station before all hell breaks loose.
Fernando is about to get on the train when the four sisters arrive. He is spellbound. The cinematography at the point of arrival was very good. Even I was entranced. Of course, now that Fernando has seen the four stunning women, he can't leave. He sniffs after them like a tom cat. I must admit it is rather funny to watch as Fernando is seduced by each of the sisters.
Each one of the daughters possesses a different personality. It is hard to even figure out how these four women could be sisters. The sisters lead him on a merry chase. The 3 older ones are all experienced and enjoy a good tumble. After each tumble, Fernando feels he must do the right thing. The right thing is to offer to marry them. The old man laughs as Fernando tries to speak to him about marrying his daughters. After each unsuccessful marriage proposal, Fernando is determined to leave. He never quite makes it out . . .
******************** SPOILERS **********************
The most amusing proposal is when he asks for the 2nd eldest sister's hand in marriage. The sister is played by Adriana Gil. Adriana plays the butch tom boy to the hilt. Even in the act of sex, she is dressed as a man and Fernando is a dressed as a girl. She takes him by riding on top. Poor Fernando is overwhelmed. When Fernando goes to the old man and states he now wants to marry Adriana, the old man nearly keels over laughing. Fernando finds out it is because the old man considers Adriana as a son he never had.
At the end, Fernando finally marries the youngest daughter, played by Penélope Cruz before she was famous in the States.
The mischief that the 3 older sisters play on Fernando is always fun to watch. I recommend this light hearted flick to anyone wanting a fun Saturday afternoon movie.
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