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Reviews
The Forsyte Saga (2002)
A brilliant follow-up to the 1st series
This second installment lives up to the expectations created by the first series and by the novel itself - To Let. We meet again, with much pleasure, the magnificent cast of the first series (D. Lewis as Soames stands out) and discover the choices that have been made to cast the 4 new main characters : Fleur and Jon Forsyte, Prosper Profound, and Michael Mont. I found the 4 of them to be nearly-ideally suited to their part. May be the actor playing Jon lacked a little bit of brilliance, but he showed a lot of sensibility and looked a lot like his "mother", Irene. The story unfolds with relentlessness but there are also many moving, or funny moments. The films is really faithful to the tone of Galdsworthy and is, all in all, a magnificent achievement. it is as good as the first series, and may be even better. At the end of the 4th episode, we are really sorry to have to wait for the next episodes of the saga, and the lives of Fleur and Michael Mont. Highly recommended to fans of British top quality literary drama.
Sur mes lèvres (2001)
A gripping and surprising film
"Sur mes lèvres" is an excellent surprise. The co-writer and director managed to play with the codes (film noir, office movie, romantic comedy, thriller) without falling prey to stereotypes. Vincent Cassel is one of those amazing actors who can "be" beautiful and powerful in some movies (e.g. The Brotherhood of wolves) and "be" ugly and rejected with similar ease (The Hatred or in this movie). The overall mood of the movie is black, but it has many incredibly funny moments, and does not try to be realistic all the way. Like other reviewers, I would not be surprised to see the script adapted by Hollywood for the American market, with all the "zest" gone (Julia Roberts as the female lead, Tom Cruise as the sexy intern, etc)... Here the characters are totally believable but not "common", and the theme of deafness is explored with much depth. Worth several viewings, no doubt.
Firelight (1997)
A perfect, utterly satisfying masterpiece
How often does one look forward to seeing a movie, hoping it will fulfill one's expectations, and end up somewhat disappointed ? Well, it was not the case with this movie, which came to my notice mostly through the reviews here at IMDB.com, because its theatrical release was very brief and discreet here in France. I can only say that this movie is a dream come true. If you have loved Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre with C. Hinds, Sense and sensibility, a Room with a view, well there is no reason why you should not be delighted. I love everything about it : the way the story unfolds, the subtlety of the dialogue, intermingled with images full of meaning and poetry ... and incredible acting. It is a love story but it tells of many other things **** minor spoilers here : education, the relationship between a father and his son, the bind created by physical intercourse .... end of spoilers ****. You feel all kinds of emotions, including some very funny scenes (I like the sheep breeding scene ... you'll know what I mean). I bought the DVD zone 2 and it might soon be one of the most often watched in my collection !