Possible Spoilers...
Darius is a man of a theater with a strong taste for alcohol which enables him to write his plays and bear success. His last play was a triumph but his last fit of alcohol also destroyed him. So, he decides to undergo treatment for alcoholism. Six months later, by coming back to Paris, he discovers with astonishment the announcement of his new play and he forgot to write it. This situation makes him anguished and it's all the more serious as he is out of inspiration. One day, he accidentally kills his cat and by chance, inspiration comes back. Will Darius keep on commit murders to finish his long-awaited play?
By reading this summary of the story, it's very tempting to make a comparison with "Barton Fink" (1991) by the Coen brothers. Indeed, the characters of Darius and Barton Fink have got a lot of common points. Both wear glasses and have brown hair. Both are talented and promising writers. Both find themselves in the same situation: they have to write a work but they are out of inspiration. To crown it all, both are surrounded by either rather unpleasant characters that put pressure on them, either nice but intrusive neighbors.
"Le créateur" is a film that confirms the originality of Albert Dupontel's cinema. First, what strikes is the directing. Of course, not always mastered but inventive and sometimes crazy, it contains quite a lot of clever visuals: the subjective camera through the computer screen and the eyes of the cat. Moreover, the dreamlike sequences are particularly successful where we can notice a deepen work on the light. Then, a few supporting roles suggest a delightful performance, beginning with Darius' brother. "Le créateur also enjoys a not inconsiderable advantage: black humor. About it, the best sequence: is the following one: when Darius receives kitten from Chloé Duval with a little note: "Go back to work. Chloé".
But Albert Dupontel especially plays with the spectator. During an important part of the movie, you may believe that the script contains a fault at this level: Darius reveals that he manages to write after he drank and while he's asleep. Although it happens (or seems to happen) in the movie, this revelation doesn't seem plausible. Another thing that is weird: the more Darius commits murders, the more his play speeds up but actually you never see him write his play. However a final and unexpected coup de théâtre makes all doubts forget and makes the movie consistent.
A fine black comedy. After "Bernie" (1996) Albert Dupontel scores and signs.
Darius is a man of a theater with a strong taste for alcohol which enables him to write his plays and bear success. His last play was a triumph but his last fit of alcohol also destroyed him. So, he decides to undergo treatment for alcoholism. Six months later, by coming back to Paris, he discovers with astonishment the announcement of his new play and he forgot to write it. This situation makes him anguished and it's all the more serious as he is out of inspiration. One day, he accidentally kills his cat and by chance, inspiration comes back. Will Darius keep on commit murders to finish his long-awaited play?
By reading this summary of the story, it's very tempting to make a comparison with "Barton Fink" (1991) by the Coen brothers. Indeed, the characters of Darius and Barton Fink have got a lot of common points. Both wear glasses and have brown hair. Both are talented and promising writers. Both find themselves in the same situation: they have to write a work but they are out of inspiration. To crown it all, both are surrounded by either rather unpleasant characters that put pressure on them, either nice but intrusive neighbors.
"Le créateur" is a film that confirms the originality of Albert Dupontel's cinema. First, what strikes is the directing. Of course, not always mastered but inventive and sometimes crazy, it contains quite a lot of clever visuals: the subjective camera through the computer screen and the eyes of the cat. Moreover, the dreamlike sequences are particularly successful where we can notice a deepen work on the light. Then, a few supporting roles suggest a delightful performance, beginning with Darius' brother. "Le créateur also enjoys a not inconsiderable advantage: black humor. About it, the best sequence: is the following one: when Darius receives kitten from Chloé Duval with a little note: "Go back to work. Chloé".
But Albert Dupontel especially plays with the spectator. During an important part of the movie, you may believe that the script contains a fault at this level: Darius reveals that he manages to write after he drank and while he's asleep. Although it happens (or seems to happen) in the movie, this revelation doesn't seem plausible. Another thing that is weird: the more Darius commits murders, the more his play speeds up but actually you never see him write his play. However a final and unexpected coup de théâtre makes all doubts forget and makes the movie consistent.
A fine black comedy. After "Bernie" (1996) Albert Dupontel scores and signs.