Leonora in the Morning Light

This film was a huge surprise. I expected it to be one of those typical European films about artists, writers or intellectuals that are set in wonderful locations, but apart from that rely on more or less formulaic storytelling, dialogue, and music.

Not so here. "Leonora in the Morning Light" has a very sparse but highly effective score to begin with. But first of all, the cast is wonderfully chosen, the acting is subtle yet convincing, and Olivia Vinall shines especially in the scenes where Carrington goes through the different stages of feeling alienated, or suffers from psychotic episodes. On top of that, both she and Alexander Scheer (who has been known in Germany as one the leading theatre actors of his generation) look a great deal like the real Carrington and Ernst.

The Mexican and also the French landscapes are stunning. In a couple of scenes, the directors use them as perfect backdrops for their depiction of altered states of consciousness. In one scene especially, when Carrington trails off into the jungle, they make it look like she enters a surrealist painting, to a sublime effect.

Presumably for legal reasons, hardly any of Carrington's paintings are shown in their finished state. But after seeing this film, you will be hungry to check them out in the internet or your local library.