A European import teaches us how simple and beautiful film can be.
“La lengua de las mariposas” or “Butterfly Tongues” (in some US markets) tells the delightful story of Moncho, a young boy’s coming of age as his world opens up through the eyes of his beloved teacher, Don Gregorio.
As the teacher brings the boy into the fascinating world of butterflies, the boy begins to emerge from his cocoon. But looming on the horizon is the surgence of a fascist regime that threatens to unravel their innocent world.
In the summer of 1936, which is when the films takes place, the whole of Spain was intertwined in the struggle between the Mussolini inspired Nationalist Party and the Republicans.
But as the rest of Europe was being over run by a couple different fascist regimes, Spain was trying desperately to prevent that outcome.
The film “Butterfly” brings in these elements and lets these two main characters deal with the impending doom and the heart-breaking aftermath.
The film also beautifully depicts these simple folks who are desperately trying to find their way in the world. From one side you have the teacher who is just trying to bring peace to his students and their world. And on the other a young boy trying to understand the gigantic world around him.
The teachings of the butterflies are a metaphor for the change coming in Spain and in both of their lives.
This metaphor rings cleverly through each character in the film which does beg the question did the teacher know about the coming conflict and was trying to say something subtly.
After watching this film, I learned the character of Don Gregorio was played by a legendary Spanish actor named Fernando Fernan Gomez. I could see even before I knew who he was that this man is amazing. I haven’t seen this kind of subtle grace since Sir John Gielgud. I wish I had a teacher like him in my life.
(4 out of 5)
So Says the Soothsayer.
It has all come to this!
The cinematography is paint-by-numbers. The staging of scenes is very loose. And well the structure is way off.
We are taken back into the dark world of Stockholm’s underworld again through the lens of author Stieg Larsson.
The new French film “Amelie” tells the story of what happens when two unsuspecting introverts find love. Newcomer Audrey Tautou plays Amelie, a reluctant and reclusive girl who has a peculiar way of interacting with the people in her little part of Paris.
Master storyteller Hayao Miyazaki follows-up his Academy Award winning animated film “Spirited Away” with a tale of wizards, witches, spells and mysterious walking castle.
I have to admit I did have some problems with some of the story and the film’s eventual conclusion. I never felt that Sofi’s age-transition was properly discussed or examined especially in the last half of the film. I also felt that her story arc suffered greatly from the over-whelming Howl storyline. The film’s conclusion feels way to Disney and didn’t wrap up some of the other characters storylines.
Action filmmaker and producer Luc Besson has always had an eye for action and having the ability to showcase it in a strange and unusual way. He honed the skills of Jet Li and Jason Statham with glorious success. He even turned his ex-lover Milla Jovovich into a female wrecking machine.
Deep within the lush forests and hills of French Gevaudan in the late seventeen hundreds, a beast preyed upon unwilling citizens. The creature’s jaws were described as so large that they could squash a man’s head with one snap.
Marianne (Emilie Dequenne) who is the daughter one of the prominent citizens of Gevaudan. What is the mystery plaguing the citizens of Gevaudan?
This film reminded me a lot of the Beowulf legend of ancient times where Fronsac would be Beowulf and the beast is Grendel. Fronsac’s hunting of the creature and how close he becomes connected the people around him is very Beowulf.
My favorite character was Mani because while watching this film I did feel like an outsider much the way he must have felt. In reading subtitles and embracing a film in a different language, an audience member can often feel like an outsider.
My only real problem with “Brotherhood” was the film’s third act. I had a hard time following the plot as there are a lot twists and turns as the secret is unveiled. I had some problems with how the secret itself was unveiled.
Attila could be the worst movie that the late Anthony Quinn ever starred in.
The performance is credible to all the over-acting and silliness from his supporting players. Some of the performances reminded me of “mimes on speed.” Except these mimes shovel the garbage that is this script.
The seduction scene where Loren goes to Quinn is the best scene of the film. Loren is looking her best and the seduction is very Samson and Delilah-esque. Loren looks ravishing in a revealing white gown as Quinn’s barbarian is caught off guard and speechless. Loren’s gown in that scene is the best of the film, hands down.
At first glance Jean-Luc Goddard’s 1985 drama Detective looks and feels like a Robert Altman film. You have pretty much four intertwining stories that feed off each other as they move along. Altman was famous for the multi-story narrative that would eventually have the stories collide into one theme. Many directors have been influenced by Altman and his focus on character.
In Detective, Goddard mixes up the crime drama into a multi-story narrative like Altman. The whole movie takes place in a hotel. You have one story that involves two detectives investigating a murder. One that involves a couple going through the ups and downs of marriage. You have a young boxer preparing and dealing with the aftermath of a fight. And finally it is revealed that the couple is blackmailing the boxer’s promoter.
Le Samourai is one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite films. He says that the French classic influenced him on creating the world of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction.
What makes Le Samourai such an interesting watch is its use of color, subtlety and the amazing performance from Alain Delon. I loved how his whole apartment was painted with various shades of grey seeming to accent his unsettling life. And how Delon makes just a simple movement like putting on a hat and a trenchcoat and event.
