I can't believe someone who worships Renoir as you do would not appreciate at least some Truffaut.
The River is one of my favorites. Also, Le Crime de Monsieur Lange. Stuff happens in both of those movies.
The thing about Antonioniononoinonoino is preceisely what Hayden says: "the story you think you're going to get is happening elsewhere." As much as I am willing to let a Hitchcockian (or even Shakespearean) level of stuff happen off-screen, I'd still like to see some of the story! And I need the premise to fit the execution. As P-C says, it's about a guy who took photos of a murder! How can that end up being a long, drawn-out, overblown story that goes nowhere?
For example, Days of Heaven is mostly known for being ridiculously magic-hour gorgeous, and the plot meanders, but since it's a story about migrant workers, the meandering and tone makes total sense. If Malick used the same style in "Badlands", can you imagine?? But he didn't, because the content and story of each film is markedly different and is treated thusly.
Malle's an interesting director. I loved his last film -- a no-costume adaptation of Uncle Vanya. I think I've seen that, Au Revoir Les Enfants, Murmur of the Heart, Damage, and Pretty Baby. I should track down some of his earlier films.
Early Malle is fun. Jazz! Jeanne Moreau! Zazie!
What, you guys didn't like Au revoir les enfants ? Quelle horreur!
More importantly:
Happy to see you (finally) join us la javanaise!!!
la javanaise
That's like this, only with coffee, right?
What, you guys didn't like Au revoir les enfants ? Quelle horreur!
Oh no, I love it. Makes me cry every time.
Actually, now that I think of it, it would make a great double feature with
Le Dernier Métro.
I loved his last film -- a no-costume adaptation of Uncle Vanya
Vanya on 42nd Street?
I loved that movie.
Hi, javachik!
That is truly disturbing Tom, especially given java's veggie status.
Actually, in keeping with the 60s French theme, "La Javanaise" is a Serge Gainsbourg song.
The River is a gorgeous, gorgeous film. I also love the other big Rumer Godden adaptation, Powell and Pressburger's Black Narcissus. I haven't seen either of them in a while, and there is certainly some problematic colonialist aspect in both, but they make for hypnotically beautiful films.
