Genesis

I saw this at the New Zealand International Film Festival and I truly cannot remember the last film I saw that had this much contempt and hatred for its characters. It wallows in misery and subjects its protagonists to so much cruelty, before deciding otherwise in a totally pointless and interminable third act. Performances are strong but they are in the service of people who aren't characters - are barely even a collection of ticks. On an aesthetic level, Genesis makes some truly puzzling choices; crash zooms, long unbroken takes of panning to and fro, repetitive use of the same dull pop songs and a really poor sense of pacing. The performances are truly the only thing that work, and at over 130 minutes long, the performances are a very small saving grace within this awful slog.

I am not one to go in gunning for a film, and I was actually quite excited to see this. I hated it from start to finish, I was in misery, and I highly doubt I will see a worse film this year.

For me, this was a tough film to rate. On the one hand I felt it exceptionally portrayed some of the exuberance of youth and first loves. Yet, the movie also was difficult to watch, at times, as it starkly illustrated the devastating pain and sadness that can accompany coming-of-age. as well.

Maybe it's me but I had difficulty discerning which character was which, as the film often appeared disjointed. So bottom line: some good positives here, like the performance of Noee Abita, but on the whole the movie, written and directed by Philippe Lesage, could only be given a fair rating for entertainment value, as I see it.

Genése follows three characters. We are first introduced to the two siblings Guillaume (16) and Charlotte (18). The movie focuses on these two for most of the film. Then in the end it suddenly switches and introduces another character Félix, who is twelve.

Genése was a beautiful movie full of potential but unfortunately, it made a lot of mistakes.

First things first were the plot. I really really did not find the sudden switch to Félix and his childish adventurous in a summer camp intriguing. It felt like a completely different movie. You know singing, kids around fireplaces, first "serious" love. I was bored. The movie definitely did not prepare me for such a sudden switch. Since I watched it on HBO (in the LGBT section), I read the description and I knew that it's going to be about these three. But to the last moment, I hoped they confused names and wanted to write Alexis nor Felix. Alexis plays a small but very interesting part in the Guillaume storyline and it would be amazing to know more about him. Both storylines about Guillaume and Charlotte are cut off and left unexplained. I would like to know more. What happens after? It's okay not to know but at least explain what exactly is going on. What is the relationship between these two? Very close, but maybe show a bit more? What is their relationship with their parents? I read somewhere that they are half-siblings - I didn't catch that in the movie at all. But other than these slight issues and the big thing with Félix, the movie was amazing. I enjoyed it, I found it fascinating. Especially Guillaume and his incredible personality.

The other thing that was making me grind my teeth was the fashion. For most of the movie, I couldn't pinpoint the exact time it was in. Probably the 1990s, judging from the mobile phone, computer, and bike. The clothing could be also categorized into that era, but it felt too present-like. Which is completely okay. Fashion is circular and repetitive but it's never exactly the same. There are always some slight nuances - even if only little ones in the material, cut, style. But never the same. The fashion industry would crush if it would be. I didn't see any of these slight differences. Especially in the last Félix part. Suddenly the kids wore clothes more suited for the 2010s than the 1990s. There were crocs, ripped, and skinny jeans, and others. Since there wasn't shown any technology, I wasn't even sure if the time period didn't change. As you can see the last ending bit irritated me.

But to end it in a better note. The characters were done great. My favorite Guillaume had an amazing complex personality. But I could not properly distinguish if he was the good gentle guy and the bad bully guy. Probably both which is always the best, since life isn't black and white.

And to conclude it, I would give this movie a 6-star review. It could have been an eight, but they messed it up with the last part.

This is one of the best films I've seen - and I've seen many acclaimed movies, art and commercial.

PREDICTION: I bet Timothee Chalamet ends up working with the director Philippe Lesage. I think he'd appreciate Lesage's depth and intelligent, compassionate understanding of human beings - and they both have a French background.

The film is unusually realistic, and sensitive in every meaning of the word: Lesage has clearly observed and reflected on human nature to the point of deep sympathy, which he expresses on film with subtlety, delicacy and brutality. I loved it.

It's not just about first loves - it's about the human condition.

~*~

I see some have given it bad reviews: I can only assume these people lack the depth and life experience to appreciate the psychological and emotional material it explores. Maybe in a few years they should watch it again, and pay CLOSER ATTENTION! (It's a small-scale, slow(ISH)-burn psychological-emotional movie, not a racy blockbuster! A small gem, to be turned over slowly in the hand.)

I didn't find it boring a minute - the only scene I thought could have been cut was the second club dancing scene. (Though perhaps WHEN I watch it all again, I'll understand why it's there.)

Some complained about the last section. Two responses:

* Yes, it's unusual and like a small movie in itself. It's not what's normally done. That's INNOVATION!

* It does fit with the rest of the movie if you grok it a little. If it was at the start, you could see this even more: it's a COUNTERPOINT showing how innocent love CAN be (especially at an earlier age), compared to how tumultuous it can be (especially later in life). In its place at the end of the movie, you could see it as a kind of 'saving grace' that gives some hope, reminding us how pure affection and fascination can be. Or if you're of a darker mind: you see the sadness that may lay in wait for Felix and Beatrice. It's almost like the cycle of life: '...and so it all starts over again'.

Sidebar: I've been to similar gatherings and it was SO good at evoking the warm, intimate, relaxed atmosphere of such gatherings. (Unless of course you're a cynic who's mind and heart is incapable of enjoying 'all that' - in which case even such gatherings would leave you cold and seeing hidden motivations everywhere...yep, the ravenous Consuming Mind searching for its prey...)

~*~

Did any of you film buffs notice the probable homage to Zéro de conduite?

(I appreciated this film so much and was so shocked at the bad reviews, that I joined IMDB just to review it!)

Way too many long shots that provided nothing. If you do end up watching this movie, fast forward through those, it'll make it a little more tolerable.