Le nain rouge

I saw this film during the 22:nd Gothenburg Film Festival. I chose to see it since the title reminded me of Red Dwarf, the TV series, and started to read about the film in the festival program. I didn't need to read more than 2 two lines of text before I knew I wanted to see it. And it was certanly no disappointment, I was amazed throughout the entire film. And just loved it. That it was in black and white helped the feeling in the film. I don't know exactly what to say except that if you haven't already seen it, DO SO !

The first third of this film was very interesting, but mainly because of the good black-and- white closeup photography in that first 30-45 minutes. Then the story began to get very distasteful with characters I could not care about, and I doubt most people could.

The story is a bit disjointed and sordid about a dwarf who has some sort of relationship with a older, fat and married woman, all the while he is serving divorce papers....at least that's what it sounded like. It wasn't all that clear after an hour, and by then I had lost interest trying figure everything out. In the meantime, the dwarf also was attracted to this little girl at the circus. It's all very strange....and not a satisfying story.

One review I read somewhere said this film reminded him of early David Lynch movies, and I think that's an apt description. I love a couple of Lynch films, but some of his stuff stinks, too. (i.e. Eraserhead, Lost Highway, to name two).

Enjoyed this film which had fantastic realistic scenes of drama, murder and both male and female nudity along with plenty of clowns and circus acts. This film is about Jean-Yves Thual, (Lucien L'Hotte) who works in a law office and gets involved with a rich older lady, Paola Bendoni,(Anita Ekberg) and eventually goes to bed with her and enjoys his sexual romance. However, Lucien L'Hotte really loves a very young girl in the circus and hopes someday to join her in the circus and have a great act together. There is a scene where Lucien jumps up on the desk of his boss in the law firm and proceeds to do a dump on his desk. There is lots of laughs along with a very entertaining film which is rather drawn out and very very slow. Enjoy

slices from Fellini, drops from Michel Tournier novel. and a mount of good intentions. result - not a movie. but a game. feelings in large clothes, Anita Eckberg as axis of interest, a Jean - Yves Thual isolated in a too long story about life, friendship, hopes, rage, emotions, a dwarf, a girl and circle of small things.in fact, nothing convincing. only drawing of a large fresco and fear to finish the work. few basic solutions, far from real emotion. and some nuances of gray. not enough. but it is difficult to say - it is a bad film. it is only an exercise to present a tale. and a mountain of good , beautiful intentions.

Several times I asked myself where the story was heading but hung in and was rewarded with an answer although not a completely satisfying one. The main character really makes you feel what it is like to be a small person in a big world. The character Isis is irresistible and made you cheer for her and her loving understanding of L'Hottel. Anita Ekberg's appearance as the countess was somewhere between drama and high camp. The scenes she plays with L'Hottel were way "over the top." While not a satisfying film it is worth a look just to better understand that all people have feelings and deserve to be treated with some sort of dignity.