Imelda 3: Simone (2020) User Reviews

Poignant, heavy, sometimes dark, existential, poetic, and humanly humorous

[tannisroot-91341 · 10/10 · 16 June 2021]

This is the best of this enjoyable series thus far. It stars the famous Canadian actress and singer Ginette Reno as the opposing grandmother in Imelda's family, someone she loathed and has finally gone to make amends with, after (might as well be) a trillion years. It begins with Imelda changing her mind about suicide and visiting a church where Reno's character sings. We are philosophically treated to Reno interpreting a psychologically poetic song that is perhaps about herself... and people like Imelda? The lyrics feel like they have been written on a broken mirror. It is beautifully, gorgeously written and has a perfect laid-back touch of comedy - stemming from truth and the weirdness that life makes us experience. Martin Villeneuve (Mars et Avril - 2012), who plays his grandmother Imelda (while also writing, directing and producing the ongoing series) engages in a chat with Simone, and the conversation is full of humanity, humility, drama and humor. As always, Imelda is a paradox... first giving praise, then an insult and back and forth. Her character is more fleshed out than in the previous 2 episodes. This is a cinematic treat, because the emotions are so well acted out. Although this event didn't take place in real life, it's part of a 'what if' philosophical journey Imelda is on before departing this world, which she funnily doubts will ever happen despite her old age. This short film series is made from passion and filmed brilliantly by the excellent crews that Montreal is known to have. Reno is a true star; she masters firm emotions and cerebral nuances and then can jump onto the other side of the brain's spectrum - to be seen seeping with moments of grandeur then leading to tears. She is an amazing singer and a superb actress. I wept and laughed at her performance and dialogue. Villeneuve can handle all production hats, if need be, and comes from a family of notaries (see part 2 on Vimeo). This is the best 15 minutes of Quebec (and beyond) cinema. Episodes 4, 5 and 6 have just been shot in March, June and August 2021, and the rest up to 8 in Fall 2021. Then in 2022 the parts will be summed into a single feature. Martin Villeneuve and Robert Lepage (who plays his father in part 2) are the best filmmakers coming out of Quebec. Pure cinema. Who knows what's in store for Imelda in the upcoming series' parts? She is very old, isolated as her acquaintances have pretty much all passed away. As I've mentioned earlier, she can be snooty, open, honest, and can take left of center psychological mood swings accompanied by harshness. Yet she is noble and stands her ground. Being so up there in age despite shortcomings, especially with keeping enemies... what is God's plan for her? What is her purpose on Earth? She can get people to speak their minds... during times of conflict or camaraderie. She's been around for quite a while. She's likely seen it all and chuckles over life's absurdities. I am joyfully excited to see the rest of the story unfold, and intrigued to see more. Martin Villeneuve's work, his mix of poetic philosophical and clinical writing skill drive his stories in a weaving pace and pattern, and his sociological prodding is reminiscent of the 1970s period of Ingmar Bergman's films here. Where conflict - especially brooding taking place instead of what should be a loving bond with family - becomes a tough challenge. The Imelda series is loveable, complex, yet digestible for audience members from all walks of life.

Review by Roman Sokal.

CINEMA in upper-case letters

[pvw-2 · 10/10 · 8 January 2021]

I can only agree with the reviewers of all three Imeldas. But I want to add one thing. What baffled me was the experience I had after watching Imelda 3. Somehow the three interacted in a very special and extremely subtle way. Imelda 3 suddenly provided an enormous deepening of Imelda 1 and 2. As we say in the Netherlands: This is CINEMA in upper-case letters! Bravo Martin and crew! Definitely 10/10 for all of you! Peter van Wijk

Best IMELDA of the trio - humorous but also emotional

[elliottriebman · 10/10 · 2 November 2020]

IMELDA 3 is delightful and funny in the way the first two are but is also emotional in a way they are not.

The humor stems from Imelda interacting with her old friend, Simone, a successful singer in a church. Simone reflects on her life and insecurities, particularly relating to her weight after singing a perfectly written song: "The Fat One." While she describes the history of insults she has endured in her life, Imelda sits behind her nodding along with each insult. She then adds on to them in the way only she can. This is enjoyable to watch but what I found moving is the depth of the relationship that hides beneath this harsh, critical dynamic between the women. It is based on their history together; they know each other so well they can say something that cuts to the core of the other. It is almost like two enemies who have a mutual respect for each other that is just under the surface tension of their conflicted relationship. They derive appreciation for each other because they know what can hurt the other the most.

Like Villeneuve's first two Imelda films, this is beautifully shot, particularly the opening scene with the frog and the gorgeous church interior where the exquisitely talented Ginette Reno as Simone sings. The song itself is perfectly composed for the character about her insecurities concerning her weight. This cuttingly contrast with Imelda who prides herself on always being as thin as could be and is unabashed in her willingness to point out Simone's negative traits and concerns about her weight.

Beneath the negativity is actually a genuine respect and love. This sincere side of Imelda is not depicted in the first two films, or remains hidden behind her acidity, but is on display here through her relationship with Simone in a heartfelt, moving way.

This film is very funny at parts, because of Imelda's bluntness and Villeneuve's incarnate performance, but on the whole it is more emotionally poignant than IMELDA and IMELDA 2. Gorgeously shot, framed and filmed. I wouldn't have thought Villeneuve could have topped the first two films, but this was as good if not better than them. I would say the second was better than the first, in terms of humor and humanizing Imelda, but that the third is the best at illustrating the depth of her character. A character that one feels glued to even just watching her listen.