"Le livre de Marie" or "The Book of Mary" is a Swiss/French co-production from 1985, a César--nominated short film that runs for under half an hour and don't be fooled by the photo here as this is not a black-and-white movie. This over 30-year-old work was directed by Anne-Marie Miéville and I think she is also the script writer here. It is the story of a girl who finds the most (un)usual ways to deal with her parents' arguments and upcoming divorce. Music plays a major part in here like several other components linked to the girl's behavior. I cannot say I know any of the cast members here, but that is not essential either to appreciate the film and the characters eventually and yes this is not just about the daughter, but also about her parents, especially the mother. It is a decentg character study I think and occasional weaknesses in writing are never serious enough to be a really negative deal breaker. Everybody who likes family drama can give this one a go in my opinion. Most likely you won't be disappointed, but don't forget the subtitles unless you are fluent in the French language. I think the actors did a good job too. Watch it.
3 Reviews
Certainly an impressive short film, when compared to the film that follows it on video...
Quinoa198426 August 2004
Anne-Marie Mieville, a frequent collaborator and partner with filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard (who also penned the wonderful First Name: Carmen and, surprisingly, was the one who edited 'Hail Mary'), was by the mid-eighties quite capable of being director as much as co-writer and co-editor, and made this piece about a daughter named Mary and her two parents. They're in the middle of their marital troubles, and at the start of the film are in a bind- will they split for falling out of love, or stay for their child? Soon though, as the child gets a little older, the father leaves, and the mother becomes the primary parent of the intelligent, eccentric, and funny (in a 'French' sort of way) pre-teen. The film is highlighted with a terrific bit of music from Gustav Mahler (the scene itself is surreal when you first see it, but thinking about it it makes sense from the point of view of a kid), and a quiet scene with the daughter and her father late in the film.
Nothing special, but it is a nice treat of an art film that would put off a child if one were to watch it, and should really please admirers of the filmmaker's work. Kudos also to Rebecca Hampton, who's performance as Marie is almost note-perfect for the movement of the story. B+
Nothing special, but it is a nice treat of an art film that would put off a child if one were to watch it, and should really please admirers of the filmmaker's work. Kudos also to Rebecca Hampton, who's performance as Marie is almost note-perfect for the movement of the story. B+
A film about Mum and Dad
a-jacke5 February 2003
There is a great quarrel between mother and father all the time.
The best scene in this short movie is, where Marie is hearing the 9 symphony from Gustav Mahler and she is dancing alone in the living room. She wanted to die and is lying on the carpet. This scene told us more about Mahler, than Viscontis film can do. Because, the reason why she wanted to die is not Thomas Manns "Dekadenz" his mixing up between eros and thanathos, his spleen between art and homosexuality. It's more easy and nearer on real life only the difference between her parents, their great conflicts. To miss harmony. She is so sad about it and the music told this too.
I like this short movie, who is in Germany and some other countries only shown together with J.L. Godards "Maria und Josef" (a very good movie about mothering).
The best scene in this short movie is, where Marie is hearing the 9 symphony from Gustav Mahler and she is dancing alone in the living room. She wanted to die and is lying on the carpet. This scene told us more about Mahler, than Viscontis film can do. Because, the reason why she wanted to die is not Thomas Manns "Dekadenz" his mixing up between eros and thanathos, his spleen between art and homosexuality. It's more easy and nearer on real life only the difference between her parents, their great conflicts. To miss harmony. She is so sad about it and the music told this too.
I like this short movie, who is in Germany and some other countries only shown together with J.L. Godards "Maria und Josef" (a very good movie about mothering).
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