Olivier, Olivier

Of all the French films I have seen so far, this one succeeds the most in creating a mood the French are known for doing so well: a sense of melancholy. After watching this film at the young age of 16, I was immediately taken in and mystified. After watching many other films, I can still say that this is one of my favorite films.

A lot of people say that a major flaw of this movie is the odd powers of the sister, and when I first saw this movie I thought exactly that. Now that it's been about a year, I think that these powers, and how they aren't explained or dealt with in any way is amazing story telling. I don't think this movie is meant to make perfect sense, some people just don't understand that life itself makes no sense. The supernatural powers help create a tone that is haunting and beautiful. It's the style of the movie that makes it great. Most movies are completely forgettable, but this one stays with you and is so sad and wonderful. Also see Jean de Florette.

"... Holland is 'one of the great film makers in telling a story, unlike so many Europeans who emphasize character. The American public takes to a film where a story is told well'" (Film Quarterly: Vol.52, No.2, Winter 1998-9, pg3).

This comment, made by Orion's Michael Barker, is not far off the mark--at least with respect to Holland's film: "Olivier, Olivier" (1992). Despite the plot's non-fictional premise--the idea for the film, in fact, is based on a French newspaper item from the early 1980s--Agniezca Holland's ability in fully capturing the truly bizarre nature of this story leaves viewers wondering if she, in making the film, could actually have been working from real-life experiences. Holland lays the storyline out in a traditional, chronological manner but makes sure to jump ahead several years at a time, where necessary, to retain her audience's attention. I am American and I did 'take to' this film. In this sense, Michael Barker is absolutely correct. However, I imagine anyone would enjoy a story as well told as Holland tells this one.

Highly recommended.

Olivier, Olivier is a very unique movie about a family who is held together by a delicate balance of familial roles. When one member, Olivier, suddenly disappears one day, the balance is thrown, the family falls apart, only to years later to be reunited with a teenage Olivier. The acting in this movie is interstellar, and the characters are almost instantly real and alive right down to the surprise climax. Viewers use discretion however, as there are intense sexual scenes- not so graphic, but dealing with incest, pedophilia and an ailing marriage. This movie in some way goes beyond the more acclaimed film by the same director, Europa,Europa, in it's intensity. As a similar film dealing with family in a similar vein I would highly recommend The Cement Garden.

I recorded most of movie on VHS many years ago, and have just bought a used DVD from USA.

I wish to warn viewers, that a full 17 minutes is omitted on DVD, near the films end.

From point where the older Olivier returns home finding Serge delving in the garage, asking for help to sort out mess, to the point where Olivier drives on his motorbike to the little house and gives Marcel his just deserts, full 17 minutes omitted on DVD .

THIS IS THE HEART OF THE MOVIE

Will try to relate what is missing on DVD :-

Father Serge in Garage, finds old bottle of Calvados; he and Olivier consume it all getting drunk. They accuse each in turn of running away from home.

When they rejoin the two women, man and boy are in a bad way, Olivier singing 'House of the Rising Sun'.

Wife takes Serge to bed nursing his hangover

Later mother relates to Nadine what happened out shopping. Surrounded by lady shoppers, Gossip questing about return of husband and son. Newspaper reports true relative Olivier ? (Implication rent boy).

Nadine finds Olivier in bed crying. She joins him. Olivier produces sisters questionnaire board and supplies Nadine, with all the correct answers.

Then Olivier half dressed, enters Nadine's bedroom; she in turn is crying. He joins her in bed, he is cold and lonely. Nadine questions him again about Paris. He explains that his life has been in a series of railway station, his orphanages.

She draws him closer and then they have sex.

(Viewers wondering is this incest)?

Later Nadine becomes utterly convinced that Olivier is her brother and rushes to tell father Serge what she has seen and heard outside the house

At this point, we rejoin the DVD near the film's end, Olivier sorting out Marcel.

I think it criminal that heart of the film omitted on DVD.

olivier olivier is a very fine film, ruined in the DVD version. Buy the VHS and enjoy !

Sincerely, Michael Darlow.