| Index | 4 reviews in total |
12 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
Sentimental journey, 26 September 2006
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Author:
jotix100 from New York
Agnes Varda, one of the best film directors from France, takes us on a
nostalgic trip through the world of cinema. Ms. Varda pays homage to
the Lumiere brothers, the inventors that revolutionized the art of
making movies, as they keep appearing whenever Simon Cinema, the old
character at the center of the film calls for them. The two men show up
enveloped in lights, perhaps a tribute and a reference to their
surname.
The film concentrates on Simon Cinema and his memories. After all, he
has been around for quite a while and has survived many movements and
styles during his time as a creator. Simon lives in splendor in a
château in the country, attended by his male servant, Firmin, and two
maids. Simon decides to employ an assistant to help him sort out his
memories. When he engages the lovely Camille, he gets an eager young
woman who is in love with a young would be director.
There are great moments in the film as when Simon is visited by
Marcello Mastroianni. Both actors, now of a certain age, compare notes
from their pictures. Simon Cinema accuses Fellini of copying his
bathroom scene in Godadard's "Contempt", in his own "8-1/2". Hanna
Schygula and Jeanne Moreau arrive together to see the great man. Alain
Delon comes in a helicopter, only to be turned away by Firmin, the
servant, who only wants to tell the actor how much he admired him and
have him sign his autograph album.
There are other poignant vignettes, like the one involving Sandrine
Bonnaire, who arrives at the estate dressed as the vagabond she played
in Ms. Varda's own film. Then she changes into a noble woman and
finally she transforms herself into Joan of Arc. Catherine Deneuve and
Robert DeNiro have a good time together in a small vessel in the pond.
Michel Picolli is excellent as the older man who is recalling the
movies. Julie Gayet makes a luminous contribution as Camille. Henri
Garcin, is the servant Firmin, a crazy combination of servant and
personal assistant. Mathieu Demy, the director's son appears as the
aspiring director, Mica.
Ms. Varda created a light film about making movies. The material covers
many years of film making, not only in France, but in America, and
other places as well. It is indeed a sentimental journey that no cinema
fan should miss.
9 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
A Movie For Movie Lovers, 31 October 2001
Author:
Zen Bones from USA
Not since Francois Truffaut's "Day for Night" has there been a more loving
and jubilant tribute to cinema. The wonderful Michel Piccoli plays an
aging
legendary actor/director/producer who lives in a glorious country estate,
where movie memorabilia line his walls, and famous French and international
celebrities drop by daily for visits. Some of the celebrities include
Marcello Mastroianni, Gerard Depardieu, Jeanne Moreau, Hannah Schygulla,
Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Gina Lollobrigida, and Catherine Deneuve.
To name a few! In fact, one of the films' highlights includes a fantasy
scene with Deneuve and Robert DeNiro in an elegant boat on an elegant pond,
acting like a husband and wife on holiday. DeNiro is speaking French by the
way!
The film is simply a tribute to cinema, with all the magic of art
direction,
music, scenery and of course talent, mixed in a menagerie of reality and
fantasy. There's a somewhat uninteresting subplot between a young couple,
but the magic induced by all the elements mentioned is intoxicating enough
to leave your head swimming for days. This film has that perfect touch
that
most French films have of being simultaneously sentimental and
sophisticated. A perfect balance. The film is more enjoyable if one is
well familiar with French cinema, but there's plenty of mention of, and
highlights of Hollywood films too. Overall, it is a joy on any
level!
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
An effervescent tribute to those who love movies and love the people who make them, 16 April 2010
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Author:
1953calif from California
If you love film, and especially if you love French films, this small gem of a movie will get under your skin delightfully. Agnes Varda has created an utterly engaging, witty, wry, self-deprecating and altogether irresistible tribute to the directors and stars of classic French cinema and some American ones as well. Varda manages to poke fun at all the ridiculous pretentiousness of movie-making while understanding all the reasons why we---audience and actors and filmmakers alike---still fall hopelessly, helplessly, and contentedly in love with the magic of moving pictures. See this movie on a warm summer night with someone you love and who also loves the movies...
9 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
How can you not enjoy this wonderful film?, 4 June 2002
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Author:
leparrain5
I felt like I was in a dream, maybe one of Fellini's dreams of long ago, while I enjoyed every moment of this exciting film. Marcello is wonderful and so are so many others in this film... see DeNiro fall in the pond! Find it, rent it...
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