Sagewhoknowsheronions Reviews

The Magic Roundabout (2005)

Charming, for children of all ages!

[9/10 · 25 September 2005]

I was part of the 40% adult demographic that was was addicted to the Eric Thompson version, that went out on TV in the UK years ago, and I have a DVD of the Nigel Planer ones too. I was therefore looking forward to this for another fix, especially Tom Baker's Zeebad and Bill Nighy's Dylan.

It is visually delightful, the main part of the story where the Zebadee rules over a wintry ice kingdom is even prettier than the summery scenes at the beginning and end! The characters are more animated and better able to sustain your attention for the length of a feature film though I was surprised initially at the changes, not having seen any trailers beforehand. The plot is fairly simple but they always were, and so beautifully depicted that I can't see it matters. The love interest is as unexpected as it is sweet! The dialogue is as funny as you would expect from previous versions and the characters are as we always knew them. I loved Dylan's sudden concern when it was pointed out that grass was under threat!

I had forgotten how I had to get used to Nigel Planer's voice after being used to Eric Thompson's and this happened again. Once I had adjusted though it was delightful. The songs are nothing special and not as catchy or charming as the original tune but they fitted in just fine. I LOVED Ermintrude's opera singing! I had forgotten that attribute of her character!

Probably one I will enjoy more on dark winter nights when I need cheering up, accompanied by a mug of hot chocolate, sugar almonds and marrons glacés rather than popcorn, much more than than in warm weather. A film you can happily watch with children too. Just keep die hards and cynics at bay!

The DVD is excellent with a lot of extras and a an interactive two level quiz for youngsters when they have seen the film a few times and want a bit more involvement.

All in all, I recommend this to children of all ages.

I Love You All (1980)

Very understated, sadly underrated.

[9/10 · 21 June 2005]

I have only seen this film about three times and that was years ago but somehow it has stayed with me. The plot is inconsequential; the synopsis tells you most of it, the film just dots the Is and crosses the Ts, but it is copperplate not shorthand. Almost everyone concerned with it had great artistic and commercial success after making it, the director, for instance, Claude Berri, who also wrote it, went on to do Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources; it has therefore been overshadowed in all the careers it helped to shape.

The acting, locations, cinematography and editing by Etienne Becker and Arlette Langmann respectively, are a delight to behold and the film matches it's star in beauty, intelligence and style; I am surprised in many ways that it is not more appreciated than it is. There is a winter scene of them arriving at her home in the country for the New Year's Dinner at the crux of the story that makes me want to sell up and move there, and I don't like snowy winters!

The casting is perfect for a story of a woman who has had her share of interesting lovers - Catherine Deneuve and Gerald Depardieu coming into their prime, Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Christian Marquand already at home there. The reason for the number of lovers is Alice's elegant inability to cope with the boredom of long term relationships and her sophisticated ability to handle the break-ups and, of course, the fact that her beauty and personality will always attract someone new while the discarded ones hang on as friends.

Part of the interest is to see the traditional male attitude embodied in such indisputable femininity. This is no ladette copying the men, or a strident feminist getting her own back on the offending sex. She simply lives her life on her own terms without rancour or regret.

This film should be more widely seen, it is sad that even in France it is only available on video, not DVD and does not seem to be available elsewhere at all.