The Lost Highway 01.13.06: Casino, Le Samourai, More
Posted by Mary Markham on 01.13.2006
It's a New Year and my muse has left the building
Happy New Year! I have to say right off the bat that I'm not a big fan of this new posting format. I just wrote half my article only to lose it because I hit the wrong button!! Anyways, moving on. I apologize for not posting a column for a couple of weeks. My hard drive crashed for the second time in a year! Ah, monopolizing consumers into shelling out cash for upgrades. So I'm back and I have to admit I haven't been inspired. My muse apparently is either recovering from holiday squandors or doesn't realize it is a new year. Either way my well runneth dry. So I decided that I would discuss some of the films that I've watched over the past few weeks. It will force me to write and perhaps educate my limited audience. I promise I will offer my column in it's entirety next week, even if I have to drag the muse kicking and screaming! Let us proceed.
Le Samourai director: Jean-Pierre Melville
This film came highly recommended by good friend and honored film aficianado. It is one of his favorites. I love the French so I was happy to oblige. It is a beautiful film. It delivers on all asthetic and symbolic levels. Alain Delon gives a steely performance as Jef Costello, a hired gun, a solitary assassin, a lone wolf. His calm determination is cunning and calculating. However no one knows the human condition quite like the French. Among all the isolation, death and deceipt, Costello's heart is human. In his quiet bachelor apartment lives a little bird who sings fervently upon his arrival. He tends to this delicate creature with a subtle devotion. I connected strongly with this nurturing instinct. I find animals so much more appealing than my own species.
Needless to say it is a masterpiece of filmmaking. Every shot is gorgeous and there is no instant gratification. You have to sit patiently with the film. I miss that. Humans have forgotten what it is to relish and enjoy art and that's such a shame. If you fall into the attention deficit category then you will miss out on an amazing piece of cinema.
A Very Long Engagement director: Jean-Pierre Juenet
Another French winner! First of all anyone who doesn't appreciate Juenet's absolutely original ideas and vision is a fool. He is a gift to the film community. A true auteur. This film like all his others completely captivated and transported me into his very special world. He charges ahead full throttle and doesn't wait for you to catch up (hence you may have to view his films more than once!). Talk about embracing the human condition, Juenet is a master. You watch this film with your hands clasped tightly, a bead of sweat on the brow and a consistent stream of tears on your cheek. The story is devastatingly hopeful. His cast of characters unique and memorable. You will recognize many of the secondary players from his other films and of course the breathtaking Audrey Tatou. You find me an American A-list actress who could even touch her innate grace and gift.
I loved this film desperately and was so humbled by the human spirit that is so lacking in any capacity these days.
The Directors: David Cronenberg AFI series
This was a mediocore film at best. I expect more from AFI! No wonder David Lynch isn't part of the series! Anyways, I love Cronenberg and I was mildly entertained by his career and his stories of hardships etc. But honestly it was boring! The only highlights of the film were the interviews with the always eccentric Peter Weller and the very humbled Michael Ironside. Michael Ironside tells a quirky story about the first few days filming "Scanners". Apparently Cronenberg came in with his coffee and proceeded to tell everyone in the room he had a strange dream the night prior and very quickly Michael Ironside realized he was the only one left. The dream was bizarre and the next morning when Cronenberg repeated this scenario Ironside was smart enough to leave the room that time.
My biggest complaint was the lack of time spent talking about "Dead Ringers" which I feel is his best film and Jeremy Irons greatest performance. It doesn't even rate a chapter in the scene selection of the menu! Politics perhaps but come on that movie is perfection. Also there were no interviews with the crucial actors in these films. No Jeff Goldblum, Jeremy Irons, Christopher Walken, James Spader, Geena Davis, Genevieve Bujold, etc. Which to me spells amateur. I would LOVE to do a real documentary on David Cronenberg. One that his actual fans would appreciate. Shame on AFI!
Casino director: Martin Scorcese
I was so excited to see the Anniversary Edition of this film but Netflix sent me only the film so I got NONE of the bonus materials! Okay looks like I'll just have to buy it. I haven't talked about Scorcese yet and I will but you need to know that I implore him to make good films again. This was the last of his vision. At least in my humble opinion. This movie is a personal favorite of mine. Like "Goodfellows" it's violent overtures are never softened and you ride until the end. Like Juenet, Scorcese forges ahead and god help you, you better keep up! His characters are visceral and unforgiving. I LOVE that about him. There is an unwritten code of honor and crooked ethics that you buy into when you watch these films. Of course people get what they deserve according to the bible of Scorcese. And the performances....what can I say. De Niro and Pesci's last, great gift to their respected acting careers and Sharon Stone's unshakeable ferociousness as Ginger! She is worth the almost 3 hours that make up this completely captivating film.
I admit that I love mob movies and no one does them better than Martin Scorcese. It's a canvas upon which he creates a masterpiece of acting, visuals, amazing soundtracks and brutal storylines.
So these are some of the films I've watched. I did go see "Hostel". I won't even touch that film except to say that it may have been the best film I've seen all year! Eli Roth may be the most edgy American director to date. He pushed the envelope with this film and may be responsible for bringing back good horror and firm R ratings. I loved it. It was jawdropping and terrifying. But also truthful in what lies dormant or innante in our base behavior as human beings. Go see it!!
Thanks for your patience this week. I'll be back next week to hit the ground running with a good, old fashioned column.
