ruthierocks

The first feature length moral tale, La Collectionneuse is easily better than its predecessors. Offering a realistic look into the lives of three young people and narrated perfectly by one, La Collectionneuse is a beautiful film. This is Eric Rohmer's first color feature and it is absolutely magnificent to look at. There are several gorgeous beach scenes. The cinematography all around is just glorious. Aside from that, the acting is wonderful. There is so much chemistry between the main characters that it electrifies the film. It also provides a realistic tale of the struggle to keep morality. Translated as "The Collector" in English, La Collectionneuse is an overlooked, underrated film that should be considered a classic.

The story begins with three prologues. The first, Haydee's prologue, simply shows the girl on the beach in a skimpy bikini. The second prologue introduces the viewer to Daniel, a painter, who becomes a key character. Adrien's prologue, the third and last, gives us an introduction to Adrien, who becomes our narrator throughout the rest of the film. These three characters are whom the story revolves around. Sharing a mutual friend, the three of them come to share a villa during their vacation. Adrien, an art dealer who is played by Patrick Bauchau, has made it his goal to do absolutely nothing during his stay. He and Daniel (Daniel Pommereulle) become friends fairly quickly, but both keep their distance from Haydee (Haydee Politoff), the beautiful young girl who beds a different guy every night. Adrien is at first disgusted with her behavior, calling her a "collector" of men, but eventually becomes intrigued by her. As he grows more and more attracted to her, Adrien must decide whether or not to sleep with her and forget his moral integrity or to abstain and do what he knows is right. Through his narration, Adrien debates this and plays mind games with Haydee, although he's not sure if she shares the attraction or if she simply wants to add him to her collection.

This film is simply beautiful. The sexual tension feels very real, which is due to both the performances of the actors and the direction of Eric Rohmer, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors. The narration is refreshing, offering a good look into Adrien's mind. La Collectionneuse is very sharp with its dialogue and themes. Like the other Rohmer films I've seen, this one ends very abruptly. It reminds us that we're watching these people's lives for only a short time. The 87 minutes is completely worth it, though. La Collectionneuse is a great film and should be regarded in higher esteem than it seems to be. I can't imagine why this one isn't ranked alongside the greats.

10/10

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist prides itself on being hip. However, aside from a few quirks and some witty dialogue, it offers absolutely nothing fresh or original as a teen romantic comedy. To be honest, if you took away the indie rock and the weird cars, it would be just like any other teen comedy. It's been done before and it's been done better. However, Nick and Norah is still fairly entertaining and offers several laughs due to some fairly clever writing.

The story goes something like this: Nick (Michael Cera) is depressed. His girlfriend, a controlling little prep named Tris, has broken up with him. Instead of focusing on his band (consisting of two gay guys and himself – and no drummer), Nick spends his time leaving Tris various voice mails and making her enough mixed CDs to last a lifetime. Tris doesn't really care. She cheated on him the whole time they were together and throws away his CDs without listening to him. Tris's somewhat-friend Norah (Kat Dennings), however, loves the CDs. She feels a connection to Nick, but they've never met. One night, Nick and his band are playing in the same venue that Norah, Tris, and their mutual friend Caroline happen to be. Nick and Norah meet through strange circumstances and, because of how depressed Nick has been, his friends scheme to get the two of them together. What ensues is a night that the two of them will never forget.

As far as acting is concerned, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist offers nothing special. Both Michael Cera and Kat Dennings are good in their roles, but neither one of the actors are invoking any new territory. They've played these roles before. Nick comes off as kind of a cross between Cera's characters in Superbad and Juno. Norah is a carbon copy of Kat Dennings' character in last year's Charlie Bartlett. All three of these films were infinitely (no pun intended) better than this one. None of the other actors have a chance for a standout performance and are essentially forgettable.

The best part of this film is, arguably, the scenes between Cera and Dennings. They have some chemistry and the scenes during which the two of them talk are well written and seem real. The rest of the film hinges on ridiculous and offers some scenes that feel out of place (such as a disgusting scene involving Norah's drunk friend.. you'll know what I mean). There are several genuinely funny moments and some convincing heartfelt moments, but these are few and far between. This is basically the typical romantic comedy formula masquerading as something else through the usage of indie bands, old yellow cars, and a lot of chaos. It's not a bad film, really, but it's also not very good.

5/10

In his four hour drama La Belle Noiseuse, French filmmaker Jacques Rivette has painted a haunting portrayal of an artist, a model, and the effects that a work can have on those involved. It is a brave piece of film-making, featuring physical and emotional openness. The film moves very slowly, but is very much worth watching. La Belle Noiseuse allows us to watch the creation of a piece of art and how it can change a person. This is a true accomplishment. The actors are all very much on key and, with no real script, provide real and believable dialogue. Rivette paints these characters in a very human way: it's easy to imagine these people existing. There are no movie tricks. It's a truly naked film in that it offers such an intimate look into the hearts of the main characters. Anytime a film can do this, you know it's something special.

La Belle Noiseuse revolves around two couples. Marianne and Nicolas are a young couple. Nicolas is an artist and has been invited to take a look at the studio of Frenhofer, a once revered and respected painter who has given up his art. While discussing a painting that Frenhofer never finished – the "La Belle Noiseuse" – Nicolas suggests that Frenhofer use Marianne as his model. Frenhofer agrees. However, Marianne is not very happy about this. She arrives at the studio very disheartened. As Frenhofer draws and paints her, the two of them get to know each other. Marianne's resentment falls away and she becomes more open with Frenhofer, doing as he says, asking him questions, posing how he'd like. Frenhofer wants to dig deeper. As a painter, he feels the need to really capture the essence of his model. His wife, Liz, was his last model. As a result of this need to dig deeper, he was forced to either give up painting or give up his wife. The film spends much of its four hour running time in the studio with Marianne and Frenhofer. Otherwise, there are scenes with Frenhofer and Liz, as well as with Liz and Nicolas, and Marianne and Nicolas, who are growing apart by the day.

For those who can endure the extreme running time, La Belle Noiseuse is a fascinating film to watch. The characters, as I said before, are very real. Much of the film features Marianne (played by the lovely Emmanuelle Beart) posing nude. It's a bold performance for the actress, who must bear her soul as well as her body in order for the performance to be effective. She is absolutely wonderful, as is Michel Piccoli as the bitter painter. The only problem I have with the film is not that it's so long, but that much of it focuses on the drawing. There are five and ten minute scenes where the audience watches Frenhofer sketch and paint. It's fascinating at first, but eventually becomes a bit tedious. This should not steer anyone away, though. Anyone who can appreciate slow moving character studies should be fine.

To sum up, I would recommend La Belle Noiseuse. However, a person should probably know what they are getting into prior to watching. The film is not for everyone. It takes patience to enjoy, but for those who can, it is very rewarding. Jacques Rivette is a truly revolutionary director. The other film I've seen from him, Celine and Julie Go Boating, is just as wonderful as La Belle Noiseuse, but is in a completely different universe. He is a very versatile, unique, and underrated director. La Belle Noiseuse shows this. It's a beautiful film.

9/10