101 Nacht - Die Träume des M. Cinema

Love this movie! I want to see it again!

In love with the red dress!

My favorite scene is when the batler describes film noir movies.

The cast is amazing!

Oh, my heart. I think I was smiling during about 95% of this, it's just so packed with references to old movies, some explicit, some quite subtle, and has so many cameos. It centers on European cinema and Hollywood, but it covers a remarkable amount of ground and is a true tribute to cinema. It was unfortunate that there were no black directors or actors mentioned, but from where I sit, the woman who made Black Panthers in 1968 needn't explain herself to anybody. There is such love and playfulness here, Varda's signature touches, and this was a joy to watch, especially if you are a cinephile..

Monsieur Simon Cinéma is nearly one-hundred years old, and his mind is not what it used to be. He spent decades making movies, but now is largely confined to his palatial villa, surrounded by fleeting memories of what once was. Though he is frequently visited by famous stars of the silver screen, he feels lonely and aged. Cinéma decides to hire a young lady named Camille to spent time with, to talk to him about his career and his greatest love: film. While he enjoys Camille's company, it transpires that she may have an ulterior motive for taking the job beyond bringing some joy back into an old man's life.

Agnès Varda's 'One Hundred and One Nights' is a repetitive, hit-and-miss movie that's less a love letter to film than it is an exercise in navel-gazing. While the large cast of talented actors give mostly strong performances, the film repeats the same schtick over and over again and- what's worse- doesn't seem to have anything to say beyond "cinema is wonderful." Many of Varda's films verge on the grandiloquent, but there's usually a plot involved; this feels like a flimsy excuse to get notable actors to do a five-minute walk-on part (or in the case of Harrison Ford and Clint Eastwood, a walk-by part of barely five seconds) for no other reason than to boost Varda's ego.

There is a subplot involving Camille's boyfriend, who wants to shoot a gangster film, which is arguably less compelling than the exploits of Monsieur Cinéma and his famous guests. A major problem with 'One Hundred and One Nights' is that few of the characters are in any way sympathetic or interesting; the young people are especially vacuous caricatures that leave you wondering why the subplot was included at all. It adds nothing to the overall film but more minutes to the run-time.

On the other hand, Eric Gautier's cinematography is striking, especially during Monsieur Cinéma's dream sequences, and the production design is undeniably rich and powerful. Cinéma's villa looks like a treasure trove of cinematic history any film-fan would want to explore. The costume design by Leila Adjir, Françoise Disle and Rosalie Varda is also strong; Monsieur Cinéma's elaborate outfits being particularly well-crafted. If only the terrific sets, costumes and visuals were featured in a film of substance.

It must be said that Michel Piccoli is utterly endearing as Cinéma, bringing intensity, passion and humor to the role that doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated. However, the character is the only one in the film that's in any way appealing; and that's a serious issue. Audiences are probably meant to like Camille, but she comes across like a horrid, self-interested hussy of no charm whatsoever. Perhaps this is due to Julie Gayet's performance; though more likely it is Varda's direction and writing that is to blame. Camille's boyfriend- played by Mathieu Demy- is a conceited cretin and the rest of the characters are forgettable.

Are there some funny moments in the film? Yes, Piccoli is consistently great and Henri Garcin's turn as his Alain Delon loving butler might give you a few chuckles. Some of the actors are quite good in their cameos as well- Marcello Mastroianni being a real stand-out. However, there isn't enough in the film to warrant a run-time of an hour and forty-one minutes. Had 'One Hundred and One Nights' been a short film, solely about Monsieur Cinéma and a couple of famous visitors talking about film, it would have worked much better.

As it is, the film is over-long and devoid of anything meaningful. To call it a waste of your time might be putting things a little too strongly; but it's certainly not far off the mark. Those who adore Agnès Varda and think she can do no wrong- and there are many of you out there- will probably call the film a masterpiece. It isn't though: it's pretentious, lengthy cinematic claptrap of the highest order.

If you love film, and especially if you love French films, this small gem of a movie will get under your skin delightfully. Agnes Varda has created an utterly engaging, witty, wry, self-deprecating and altogether irresistible tribute to the directors and stars of classic French cinema and some American ones as well. Varda manages to poke fun at all the ridiculous pretentiousness of movie-making while understanding all the reasons why we---audience and actors and filmmakers alike---still fall hopelessly, helplessly, and contentedly in love with the magic of moving pictures. See this movie on a warm summer night with someone you love and who also loves the movies...

Michel Piccoli lives in a mansion outside Paris, filled with the memorabilia of his lifetime, one in which he has been a movie actor, director, producer.... everything. His memory, though has faded, so he hires Julie Gayet to talk to him about old movies. At first she's thrilled with the money, the greats of the movie who come to visit, but gradually she develops a plan to get her hands on the old man's money, so her lover, Mathieu Demy, can make his own movie.

Agnès Varda's movie has a very obvious subtext, about the careless amnesia of the movies, but while the symbols remain constant throughout, with references in the dialogue and sight gags from the previous century, in the end it is a game, a celebration of movies of all sorts, the newest, liveliest, and seemingly moribund lively art that she obviously adores.

With more stars than there are in the heavens.