Alegría

I saw this movie by accident. After only seeing about half of it, I didn't rest until I found a copy. I don't know much about the Cirque du Soleil, but this film is absolutely beautiful. It's poignant, intense, and above all, just plain good. It's a simple story set against a decidedly different backdrop. It's a good date movie, and one that I would watch over and over again. Perhaps the most incredible thing about the move is Jean Bazinet, who plays the lead. He is absolutely astounding as Frac, the mime. Enough of my words. They don't do this film justice.

If there is a single problem with "Alegria," the first feature film from the hugely successful (and rightfully so) Cirque du Soleil enterprise, it's that a concrete narrative structure doesn't seem to fit in the avant-guarde troop's world. A large part of the charm of the stage productions is the abstraction--the audience can fill in the blanks with whatever story pleases them, or simply sit back and enjoy the show. And while on one hand the story of "Alegria" is a charming one--a boy-meets-girl fable entwined with the plight of a group of children forced to labor under a cruel taskmaster--its presense detracts from the surreal nature of the Cirque experience.

That's not to say there isn't plenty to enjoy here, for there is. There are several fine performances here, with standouts coming from Frank Langella as the ringmaster and concerned father of the girl and Heathcote Williams as the despicable villian. Brian Dewhurst, a vetran of multiple Cirque productions and one of their most versatile talents, has a nice bit part as a depressed bartender. Benoit Jutras (another regular on the Cirque payroll) has created a beautiful and dramatically correct score for the film. The film posesses moments of beautiful, sad, and disturbing imagry, and when we do see the Cirque cast in action, it's a joy as always.

"Alegria" may not be an entirely successful foray into new territory, but when so many filmmakers rely on what's "reliable" and "safe," you certainly can't blame them for trying.

As a caveat, this movie is not for everyone. It is a fable, a mix of fantasy and reality that adds more than both combined. However, because of this experimentation, those expecting either a Hollywood style plot or a capture of the live show will be sorely disappointed. It is a movie of metaphors. Beautiful, haunting metaphors that light up your life.

This movie would have done far better in Europe. It takes incredible risks, and succeeds admirably. It is magnificently creative, brings hidden messages out without being at all pedantic, and brings a sense of pure play. The film is put together with technical brilliance. I'd recommend it to anyone with artistic or expressive tendencies. It's also great for children. However, those not in these categories will likely not appreciate the movie at all.

I never knew a movie about one of the Cirque du Soleil's best circus acts was given a motion picture adaptation. I felt like a child again, immortalized by watching this movie, couldn't resist its wonder. Previous credits give it 10 out of 10, I must agree with them.

As of Gullieta, I thought French actress Vanessa Paradis played her, like it was one of her first roles ever, but it turns out to be a British actress called Julie Cox, don't know her much. All actors in this movie, I don't know, its the first time I'm amazed from viewing an indy film.

Back in 1998, when it must have come out, I went to see Saltimbanco in Ottawa with my teachers and classmates of elementary school. The ending scene reminded of that first time at the Cirque du Soleil !

Before buying this movie, I read everything I could to see if it was worth it. This is not a filming of the stage version of Alegria, this is a movie that was originally built around it and then took a very different direction. If you are looking for "standard Cirque," this is not the place to find it. Cirque du Soleil often goes beyond fans' expectations, and this is one more case. The movie is well done, though not appropriate for very young children. It is a simple love story, but with dark undertones. Rene Bazinet is excellent in the part of Frac, which was written for him. Julie Cox is decent as Giulietta, though I found her a bit flat. And Clipper Miano IS Momo. The movie alone would be 3 out of 4 stars, but with the DVD extras I give it 3 3/4 out of 4. (I love behind-the-scenes stuff).

If you are looking for the spectacle normally associated with the Cirque, bypass this movie. If, however, you are open to the Cirque reinventing itself yet again, this time on film, give this movie a try. It's different, and therefore it isn't for everybody. But it worked for me.