Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
6.1
So… a grave robber love story? Kind of wrapped in a comedy of sorts. A very odd mix at every turn.
Some beautiful shots and an interesting premise to take a crack at it. Just really hard to get over the strange factor and get into the possible horror of being connected to the land of the dead through their former belongings.
8.6
I haven’t had my heart ripped out like this in a LONG time… This was a “Somewhere in Time” level gut punch.
Telling the story through the eyes of a painter was such an interesting, yet perfect creative choice. Marianne’s attention to even the most subtle of details about Heloise sold the kindling of a soon to be burning love between them with each passing frame. An excellently executed twist on the “forbidden love” story, told through the lens of the Greek classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The theme of long remembering the details of a former lover felt like the film was way to in my head and the heart that I admittedly tend to wear on my sleeve. The final minutes of the film are nothing but heart-wrenchingly beautiful, making and then living with the poet’s choice. The attention to detail in the performances of Adele Haenel and Noemie Merlant was awe-inspiring to witness.
Also similar to my all-time favorite “Somewhere in Time” turning me on to the works of Gustav Mahler and Sergei Rachmaninoff, this film gave me the works of Antonio Vivaldi to dive head first into and expand my musical horizons anew.
8.2
Answer? Damn near everywhere.
There is not a single frame of safety in this entire runtime, as you’re left in the dark alongside the cast as we take the dark turns together, venturing further and further into the darkness enveloping the evil at the center of this rosebud.
It’s not often my stomach is tested by a film, but this one had me almost gagging three separate times, on par or even exceeding “Terrifier 2,” so be warned. Its pervasive sense of dread and general discomfort is well earned, as it cemented itself as the best exorcist movie of the year, if not of the 2020s thus far. Highly recommended if the current/recent slate of horror films has seemed to safe for you.
8.1
Definitely see why this is getting so much attention during awards season. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a foreign language film this much. Beautiful cinematography and powerful storytelling. The imagery and substance somehow overcome the distraction of the subtitles, and almost transcends the language barrier to tell the story of the families involved. A striking twist, and a Tarantino-esque ending. Bravo!
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 