Tagged: Romantic
The Edukators
Director: Hans Weingartner
Country: Germany
Release: 2004
Roommates Jan and Peter are young, anti-capitalists activists who spend their days openly advocating their ideals on the streets of Berlin. At night they are The Edukators (as they are known to the press and police) – they break into homes of the wealthy to propagandize their cause. In order to elevate their cause and keep the focus on their message, they do not steal from the rich, and do minimal vandalizing. Instead they hide, rearrange and mock their furniture, artwork and other trappings of wealth, and leave messages that their victims have too much, or the end of the time of gross inequity is growing near. Jule is Peter’s girlfriend who has fallen on hard times resulting from an auto accident (her fault) she had with a rich businessman. Jule loses her apartment and moves in with Peter. Jule finds Jan to be too intense and Jan is too focused on his ideals to even notice. However, while Peter is out of town, Jan and Jule become unexpectedly close. Jan is smitten and confesses to Jule their night-time activity. Jule convinces him to take her along and to break into the home of the man to whom she is indebted. Without the usual planning and precautions, things do not go well. Circumstances get out of their control and result in unexpected complications and new and desperate measures are taken. Let me just say that this movie is not nearly as heavy-handed as this plot makes it sound. There are political ideas expressed in the film, but the movie does not take sides. As issues are looked at from different perspectives, the lines between right and wrong, or good and bad, tend to blur. Eventually all of the characters are forced to evaluate and examine their own beliefs, commitment and motivation as a result of their interactions with each other. As the plot develops the story seems to point out that the more things change, the more they stay the same – in regard to our protagonists in specific, and people in general. What the movie really ends up being is an engaging and entertaining misadventure driven by a strong narrative with just enough plot twists and with strong character development. I was totally surprised and immensely entertained by this film. Do not let the political overtones scare you away – they are just the motivation behind the strong plot and interesting characters. This film was not what I expected and I could not have been more pleased to be wrong.
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Adaptation
Director: Spike Jonze
Country: USA
Release: 2002
Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is hired to adapt The Orchid Thief, a book by a female New Yorker staff writer about a colorful, strange, self proclaimed genius and botanist who poaches exotic blooms in the Florida Everglades. The screenwriter is portrayed as a timid, self-deprecating man who is better at observing and fantasizing about life than actually participating in it. His twin brother Donald comes to stay with him, and decides that he wants to be a screenwriter too. Donald is more outgoing, a little oblivious, potentially obnoxious, but fearless in his approach to life – he knows what he likes and goes for it without any thought to consequences. His writing reflects this and he produces a commercially successful thriller of a script, which garners him attention. Charlie, in the meantime is having trouble with his adaptation –it seems to be going nowhere, because nothing really happens in the book which lends itself to any sort of narrative. Charlie confers with another veteran screenwriter who assures him that an untold number of things are always happening in life every day, and that if nothing happens in the story he is adapting, it is because things were left out of the book by the author. So Charlie, with the help of his brother, decides to figure out what the original author had not included. What they discover is a plot of bizarre twists and shocking revelations. The pace of the movie is very slow at first, even tedious – but then this reflects the story line of how Charlie’s work on the adaptation is slow and plodding. When the brothers pursue the secrets behind the story, the movie progresses at break-neck speed towards its final resolution. Adaptation is a strange story that ultimately satisfies and in the end, is well worth the effort.
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The Women on the 6th Floor
Director: Philippe le Guay
Country: France
Release: 2010
The Women on the Sixth Floor is part social satire and part working class fairytale. The story is set in 1962 Paris. Monsieur and Madame Jean-Louis Joubert live in a large and stately apartment in a beautiful building. Jean-Louis has lived there all his life, as did his father and grandfather, and he runs the family brokerage business started by his grandfather in 1912. When the Joubert’s maid of 25 years suddenly quits, Madame’s friends convince her to get a Spanish maid – the latest thing in Paris. They hire Maria, who has just arrived in France and lives in a room on the sixth floor as does her aunt and the other Spanish maids who work in the building. Maria proves to be efficient, polite, attentive and overall an improvement from what they were used to. Mr. Joubert, who is particular, is especially pleased and takes an interest in his new help. When he asks to see where Maria rooms, he is shocked at the negligent and unsanitary communal facilities that the maids must endure and he immediately engages a plumber and pays him double to instantly correct the problems. Mr. Joubert now becomes the kindly “Jean-Louis” and a friend and hero to the women on the sixth floor. Jean-Louis seems to enjoy the attention and his role as benefactor and finds other small favors to do for his new friends and becomes more familiar and intimate with the Spanish women. It is easy to see what would appeal to him about these women. His wife and her friends appear to be vapid and inconsequential, and his sons are ill-mannered narcissists. He works in an established firm known for safe, long-term investments and lives a life that is predictable and politically and socially correct. The Spaniards, by contrast, are lively, warm, joyous, outgoing, garrulous, emotional, supportive, colorful and fun-loving. As Jean-Louis becomes closer to the women, Maria’s aunt worries that his interest in her niece (who happens to be a beautiful as she is sweet) may go beyond friendship. In the meantime, as her husband starts coming home later and missing meals, Madame Joubert suspects something much more nefarious than the reality of his new friends. If I have not entirely made my point, it is because I do not want to give up too much of the story. You will have to watch it to find out more. If not completely believable, I think that the story is at least entertaining, if not downright enchanting. I was captivated – the movie lifted my spirits and I just thoroughly enjoyed this warm-hearted tale.
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Weekend
Country: UK
Release: 2011
A mature and realistic portrayal of love in modern tim
ed in each other beyond the bedroom. They part ways but they end up contacting each other and meeting again that same day. All of a sudden, the one night ends up becoming a weekend that they spend together getting to know each other. Through equal parts of conflict, challenges and compatibility, the two men quickly become closer and more comfortable together. There is an obvious attraction, both sexually and otherwise, but a budding relationship is pre-empted by Glen’s confirmed plans for an extended trip to America to further his art. He is leaving in a few days and nothing, it seems, will dissuade him. Very strong and brave and honest performances are the highlight of this movie which is not really about being gay as much as it is about the emotional risks involved in all intimate relationships and the loneliness of life without a real human connection. I found it to be an unsentimental, genuine look at attraction (both physical and mental), and the difficulty of navigating the conflict between t
he need to love and be loved, and preservation of self. There is some nudity and frank language and subject matter, but no explicit sex scenes. The actors accents make the dialog hard to follow at times – I recommend turning on the subtitles if you find this to be so as well, because the dialog is well worth catching. I believe that anyone who has fallen in love (not just infatuation) will be able to identify with something in this story. I also think that because of the grown-up treatment of its subject matter that this film will appeal to adults only, no matter what their age
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Valentín
Director: Alejandro Agresti
Country: Argentina
Release: 2003
Valentin is a precocious, cross-eyed 8-year-old boy who dreams of becoming an astronaut and working for NASA one day. The story takes place in the late 1960’s in Buenos Aires, when space exploration was still in it’s heyday and making headlines around the world. His parents are divorced and Valentin lives with his grandmother. He loves his grandmother (who painfully and vocally misses her deceased husband) and they are good company for each other. But Valentin seems to long for a real family of his own. His father (who by his own family’s account, has a history of emotional problems) visits infrequently, devoting most of his time to his job and pursuit of women. His mother he hardly remembers, not having seen her since the divorce when he was three, but secretly confesses to missing her and often waits by the door hoping that she will suddenly visit. Valentin is closest to his uncle Chiche and to Rufo, a musician and neighbor, because both of them talk to him like a friend and an equal and seem interested in his life and what he has to say. Valentin carefully and quietly observes the adults around him, their circumstances and their behavior that appear to complicate their lives. Rather than blame them for their shortcomings, Valentin attempts to manipulate the adults in his life, in his effort to make life better for them and for himself. Sometimes his attempts are successful (he tricks his grandmother into seeing a doctor when he notices she is not well). Other times his efforts fall short, especially when it comes to his father. He encourages his father’s pursuit of women, hoping one day for a new mother and that chance at a family. He is especially encouraging of his fathers latest romantic interest – the very sweet and pretty Leticia, who he adores. But when the relationship fails (as they always seem to due to his fathers unstable emotions), the father blames the break up on Valentin’s interference. But Valentin is the eternal optimist. He does not let the setbacks discourage him from trying to shape the world into a better place for himself and the people he cares about. I found the movie to be a charming and captivating story a lonely young boy, who grows wise before his time by observing the adult world around him, and who accepts the world for what it is, but never loses faith in his ability to make it better. More than just another cute kid movie, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
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L’auberge Espagnole
*
Director: Cédric Klapisch
Country: France, Spain
Release: 2002
The story focuses on a year in the life of Xavier, a young French guy who sets off to spend the next twelve months in Barcelona, Spain attending school for economics in a European scholastic exchange program, known as Erasmus. The schooling is one of his final preparations for a career waiting for him in government work. Once he arrives in Barcelona, he is lucky to obtain a room in a large, luxurious (by student standards) apartment with six other students – all from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. The international mix works out well with a sometimes complicated blend of languages, rules of conduct, mutual respect and patience. The mix of nationalities in the apartment does point out that there are cultural differences that do exist between people’s which can create some small tumbling blocks to perfect harmony. But overcoming those minor differences is a small price to pay for the overall enrichment they experience from the eclectic human blend. The roommates become friends and allies, and they become involved in each others lives, relationships, families and romantic entanglements. Nothing extraordinary happens – rather it just shows the things that happen in the course of one years time in the lives of these young adults and shows the everyday, universal perils of growing into oneself and finding your way, with a nod to the tenuousness of young love. For me, the film is a light-hearted, feel-good adventure and it makes you want to be young, in school and in Spain – even if just for a couple of hours. It is an affectionate, often funny, look at young adulthood and fellowship. It has an appealing international cast and set in the beautiful, cultural, interesting and spirited city of Barcelona – what’s not to like. I think this movie would appeal to a lot of people. I really enjoyed it a lot and recommend it highly.
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The Girl on the Bridge
Director: Patrice Leconte
Country: France
Release: 1999
A stylish black and white film, I feel like “The Girl on the Bridge” is a throw back to the French New Wave in style and tone. In the film, a man stops a girl from jumping off a bridge in Paris. We find out that the bridge is a location he frequents and where he searches for partners/ targets for his knife throwing act. The girl is depressed about her inability to say no to men and unrelenting bad luck, and seeks to end her misery. The knife thrower saves her from suicide and, in the deal, gets a new partner to perform with. As their relationship develops, the man gives the girl a new perspective, convincing her that she is actually extraordinarily lucky rather than ill-fated. As if proof of his theory, their work together in the act is a big success. They are booked non-stop and things seem to be going well for the pair, until the girl falls for a young, handsome and rich honeymooner, while performing on a cruise. The starry-eyed lovers disembark the cruise and run away together, abandoning his new wife and her partner. Apart, both the knife thrower and the girl fall on bad times, and it seems that together they are successful but separately they are not. However, fate is not done with them and their paths are destined to cross again. I found the movie to be cool and reserved in its treatment of the story and it did not evoke a strong response or sense of sympathy when times were bad. I was not overly emotionally engaged by the characters. But I was fascinated with them and their story. To me it is an interesting tale with odd and kooky characters, appealing performances, with an offbeat story-line told in a matter-of-fact manner, all presented in a stylish package.
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Sweet Land
Director: Ali Selem
Country: USA
Release: 2005
“Sweet Land” is a tender and affectionate portrait of one immigrant couple in early 1900’s America. Olaf is a Norwegian who has been in the country for some time, and has homesteaded a farm in Minnesota. Shortly after WWI, he is joined by Inga who has come to be his wife, although they have never met and she does not speak English. Immediately they go to the preacher to be married. However, it comes to light that although she came here from Norway, Inga is actually an orphan of German nationality, and the preacher refuses to marry them unless she can obtain the proper papers. The county clerk similarly refuses to issue her papers. They base their refusals on the fact that Inga’s undocumented status does not allow them to verify her background or character – but the real reason is that America just finished a war against Germany and, frankly, she just is not one of “them”. At first Inga is sent to live with Olaf’s best friend and his wife. But with 9 children plus them in the house, privacy and sanity is at a minimum, and Inga quickly insinuates herself into Olaf’s house, forcing him to sleep in the barn. Despite a rocky start based on their awkward unfamiliarity with each other and differences in dispositions (she is too fun-loving and he is too serious), they spend the year in close companionship, striving hard together towards the common goals of working the land, keeping their farm afloat and gaining acceptance among their community. As they face the challenges of their life together (fairly ordinary and uneventful challenges for those times) a real bond and genuine love and affection grows between them. The movie is mostly set in the time of their first year together, but also jumps to the 1960’s at the time of Olaf’s death and interment, and then to 2004 at the time of Inga’s passing, when their grandson Lars is faced with the responsibility of deciding the disposition of the family farm. Viewers who like a lot of action in a movie may find this too slow. I think it would be a great story for young children who grew up in an internet, computer, cable TV, cell phone, ipod, ipad world – to see and know that less than 100 years ago, many people in this country worked so hard to farm the land by hand, without even a tractor to assist them; and did so happily and determinedly without complaint or reservation. “Sweet Land” is also a fine example of the kind of quiet, lyrical and unassuming movie option that independent filmmakers can provide as an interesting alternative to mainstream Hollywood offerings.
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For My Father
Director: Dror Zahavi
Country: Israel, Germany
Release: 2008
The film examines the much-portrayed Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It centers around three main characters. Tarek is a Palestinian who has come to Tel Aviv to sacrifice himself as a human bomb. On the trip into the city we see his cohorts simultaneously coach and upbraid him. It seems Tarek’s motivation, more than religious or political fervor, is to uphold his family’s honor, especially his father’s. One of his cohorts doubts Tarek’s resolve and has the other attach the bomb to Tarek’s body so that it cannot be removed and so it can be detonated remotely. Once in Tel Aviv, Tarek goes directly to a crowded market, pushes the button and nothing happens. Panicked, he runs until he spies an electronic repair shop. He removes the faulty switch for repair, but it is burned out and must be replaced, which will take a couple days. He convinces his co-conspirators to not detonate remotely, giving him a chance to position himself in a more crowded situation to maximize the effect. Tarek finds himself stuck in this Israeli area with nowhere to go and nothing to do until the detonator can be replaced. He offers to repair a hole in the roof for Katz, the electrician, in exchange for the new switch. Katz, and his wife – an older Jewish couple – take the young Arab stranger into their home, providing him food and shelter. They treat the young man as an old friend and regale him with stories of their past. Tarek seems to develop a growing affection for his hosts, who he finds out lost their son in the Israeli army and have very little affection for Israeli politics – in fact Katz thinks that just about everyone around him is a fool. Tarek also befriends Keren, a young woman who runs a shop across from Katz’s. She is a pretty, hip, non-conformist who has rejected her religious upbringing. She is from an orthodox family who has basically disowned her, and she is tormented by a group of devote young men who aim to “reform” her sinful, whoring ways and redeem her. The film received very mixed critical reviews (although a generally positive public response). Some critics seem to consider it a simplistic, contrived and melodramatic approach to a complicated reality that is handled more adeptly by other contemporary films, like Ajami (reviewed on this blog). But this movie really struck an emotional chord with me. The friendship of the three characters does not seem that unlikely. Despite their diverse backgrounds they have the commonality of being uninfluenced by the socio-political-religious factors that control so much of life in that part of the world. I think the movie tries to make the worthy statement that underneath our obvious differences there is a humanity that should unite people and that our “loftier” concepts of government, religion and philosophy can get in the way of that better instinct. If it interests you at all, I found this a touching, compelling story and recommend it highly.
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Undertow
* 
Director: Javier Fuentes-León
Country: Columbia
Release: 2009
“Undertow” is a beautifully filmed story about one mans open capacity to love and the self-sacrificing, demanding nature of true valor. It is the bitter sweet account of Miguel, an affable, well-liked young man from a Peruvian fishing village whose wife is expecting their first child. Life is good in his scenic and serene seaside town. He is popular with his neighbors and coworkers and active in his church. He also is secretly having an affair with a handsome male artist who has taken up residence in the village, but who is shunned by the locals. Miguel really does love his wife but he also loves and cares for his clandestine lover. When his lover suddenly and mysteriously disappears, Miguel is distraught but cannot express his concern or sadness to anyone, and has to walk through his life as though nothing has happened. However, his silent grief is soon interrupted when he is visited by the ghost of his lover, who he discovers has drown and whose spirit cannot rest until his body is recovered from the sea and given a proper burial. When the artist’s body is eventually recovered, Miguel is confronted with the dilemma of whether or not to risk everything in order to step up to bury and pay respect to his friend and lover – even though it may ruin his marriage, his standing in the village and his chance at a real family. A sensitively handled and touching story of the exacting cost of courage and moral fortitude, love in the face of intolerance, and honor in the face of adversity. The performances are genuine, sincere and respectful and help to make the unusual scenario feel immediate and believable. The movie also reminds us that it is too easy to pass judgment on the choices of others until we are faced with the same unthinkable and dangerous options. I think it is a great movie.
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Welcome
Director: Philippe Lioret
Country: France
Release: 2009
Bilal, a 17 year-old Iraqi refuge, treks thousands of miles across the Middle East and Europe to find his sweetheart in England, where she has emigrated with her family. Through guts and resolute stamina, he makes as far as the city of Calais, on the French coast, but is unable to go further without a passport. The city is overrun with an abundance of other emigrants who find themselves in a similar predicament. Through his fellow expatriates he is able to get in on a human smuggling attempt, but they are found out and are thwarted by authorities. Bilal then decides to take swimming lessons at a local pool, with the hopes of becoming good enough to swim across the channel to reach his goal and his girl. Simon is a former French swimming star and the instructor at the pool who Bilal hires to train him. Simon is currently going through a divorce from his wife, who he is still secretly in love with and who, coincidentally, works with a group that helps provide aid to the indigent emigrants. Simon feels sorry for Bilal but admires his determination and youthful devotion to the concept of true love. He reluctantly befriends the young Iraqi, taking him into his home, even though any association with the emigrants has been made illegal by the authorities and puts Simon at considerable risk. Simon’s wife appreciates his humanitarian efforts, but worries about the legal repercussions he could face.
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After looking into this story I discovered that it is based on actual conditions in Calais and that the filmmaker intended the film to shed on light on them to the rest of the world. The movie highlights the plight of these refugees and is a sad portrait of steadfastness in the face of insurmountable odds and the quiet desperation that so many people in the world live today. I also feel like the film shows how the reaction of mainstream society against this growing desperation is to turn its back on it and to codify against humane efforts to alleviate it, in a misguided and failed attempt to preserve itself. I think the movie achieves it goals of social commentary on one level, while also unfolding a simple tale of love and perseverance. I liked this movie so much more than I thought I would.
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Sidewalls
Director: Gustavo Taretto
Country: Argentina
Release: 2011
“Sidewalls” is a very low-key, witty, adroit and poignant observation on life and love in the digital age and the urban jungle. The film takes us through a year, or rather four seasons, in Buenos Aires with its two main characters. Martin is a web designer who lives in a 400 square foot “shoebox” which he infrequently leaves, and the internet is his constant companion. Mariana is an architect who has never built anything, designs store windows for a living, spends more time with her mannequins (both at work and at home) than with real people and who lives in a tiny duplex – so designated because of five little stairs – with a freakish half window and half balcony. On the surface the movie appears depressing. Both Martin and Mariana seem to live lonely, dispassionate lives. But the story gives us a strong sense of hope. Martin and Mariana have so much in common: they visit the same websites, watch the same films on TV, have the same interests
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Plan B
Director: Marco Berger
Country: Argentina
Release: 2009
A very subtle movie, shot in a raw, realistic and unsophisticated looking style. The result is almost a documentary feel, with frequent long, quiet and uneventful scenes. At first, to me, this slow-paced style felt like it disrupted the flow of the narrative and took some getting used to. However, once I adjusted to the rhythm of the filming, I actually found it to be an effective technique for portraying this subtle story of friendship and love. In the movie, Bruno decides to befriend Pablo, the new lover of Bruno’s ex-girlfriend – who she dumped him for – in an attempt to sabotage the new relationship and win her back. Pablo, on the other hand, becomes friends with Bruno, unaware of his nefarious intentions. Despite that covert start, the two men actually find things in common and a compatibility between themselves. Somewhere along the line, Bruno and Pablo become genuinely close and inseparable friends. As their bond grows stronger, they both become aware of feelings that seem to go beyond mere friendship. Eventually they feel comfortable enough to discuss and confront those feelings with each other, and consequently they are faced with the question of whether or not to pursue them further or to just leave them alone. Unfortunately, their changing and conflicting opinions on that question not only results in no agreement or resolution, but even threatens to end the relationship completely. What I really like about this story is that it presents an unusual and thought-provoking view of this unusual turn of events. I like that the movie focuses on the importance of the emotional, rather than the sexual, aspects of attraction and love. It seems that I like this film more than other viewers and give it a much higher rating than most. Some viewers may not be able to adjust to the low-key pace, however if you do stick with it, I feel that there are rewards in regard to the films interesting perspective and offbeat approach to a taboo subject. Personally I found it to be a moving and interesting experience.
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The Grocer’s Son
Director: Eric Guirado
Country: France
Release: 2007
Antoine sees his family, after a 10 year absence, when he checks on his father in the hospital where he is recovering from a heart attack. He has been estranged from his family due to strained relationships, most especially with his harsh and unforgiving father. His mother and brother ask him to help with the family grocery store in Provence during the father’s hospitalization. His mother offers to pay him for his service, and Antoine agrees if she will front him the money. He then gives the money to his friend and neighbor in the city, Claire, who at 26, is trying to get into college in Spain and improve her life. Claire, grateful to Antoine, accompanies him to the country for a change of scenery and to keep him company, while she prepares for her college entrance tests. Antoine’s mother runs the main store in the village, and he drives a grocery truck (or mobile grocery) around the surrounding countryside, servicing their rural clientele, which consists mainly of elderly folks who immediately find the young man brusque and uncaring. Antoine is obviously sweet on Claire and enjoys her company while she tries to teach him people skills to help him deal with his customers. Claire does not enjoy being around the tensions among the family members. When the father is unexpectedly released from the hospital and returns home, the tension becomes markedly worse. Claire returns to the city, but Antoine must stay the summer to pay off his debt. Unexpectedly, during the rest of the summer, Antoine discovers that he is not only getting good at his job, but he is beginning to enjoy it. Simultaneously he develops a symbiotic respect and rapport with his customers and even becomes a friend, companion or confident to some of his more eccentric clients. Despite these developments, when his debt is paid, Antoine plans to return to life in the city. This is another film about the pull of family relationships and their ability to go so wrong. Even people from happy families can, I think, identify with the emotions behind such conflicts. But the story does not overplay it, nor is Antoine’s emerging affinity to his elderly clients (perhaps a substitute for his lack of closeness with his own parents) sappy or sentimental. It just seems to happen naturally and is an engaging subtext to the main narrative. Throughout the process we are treated to the beautiful scenery of the Provencal countryside, and a touching, often understated family drama.
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