Change Your Image
lamurasic
Reviews
A Good Year (2006)
What a jewel!
This is an unexpectedly good movie, like a success without effort, very well played by each actor and leaves you in a very good place. It has a deliciousness to it, an innocence through the memories it depicts, the scenery, its atmosphere, a certain facial expression, and the good, natural acting - something is unique to this movie!
It's like an honest conversation with an old friend with a nostalgic and magic touch to it but wrapped up in an easy-going general mood. "I wish I were in this movie", I thought this morning after having it watched yesterday for the third time since last summer. "But you are!" came an answer from my head. We all are, in a non-intrusive and light kind of way, the viewer way, viewer who is left with an image or sensation lingering (probably the house and the garden) or humming a piece of soundtrack some days after having watched it...
Cannot help thinking what a follow-up would be like...15 years later...the now mature Fanny-Max couple, maybe with children of their own, still living in beautiful Provence and not missing some scattered memories of Henry?... Like an adventure that carries on across time, with new layers of wisdom and deliciousness, simple but profound, a deeper understanding of his uncle and life, present life and life he had left behind, at the same time not forgetting the simple treasures like a good glass of wine and good company...And of no lesser importance are the vines, which are now producing a sought-after unique wine, right Ridley?
Would be so lovely to find again the feeling of this film in another one!
Update April 21
Many viewings later...
From the 3rd viewing I was hooked. Now, over 20 viewings later (never ever a movie has been able to do this to me!), I know every line and even bought a red wine from the region (and I'm not a red wine person!), I still enjoy the beginning with the impeccable acting of an adorable Freddie (what a pity he had to grow up!..) and my favourite part still remains when Max arrives at the chateau and is flooded by memories or when he takes the shots. This movie has a long lasting lovely flavour . But something is missing: a sequence to prove Charlie was not right about his remark at the end of the film. Or was he?...
Before Midnight (2013)
Disappointing
I gave this movie a 5 for the bitter taste it leaves you with. I really looked forward to it but it was a disappointment and it lacked that flicker the other 2 had. Celine is truly unlikeable, frustrated and resentful, almost unbearable, how are we supposed to consider this? That this is what we turn into with age? But I don't watch a movie for that!
I look for inspiration in a film, quality conversations, ingeniousness, great shots and that special feeling that life is a unique and marvelous gift. This film is lacking all of these. Had Celine "tried" a little, for sure she would have found things in her life to be grateful for. But her negativity makes the film lose important points.