16 recensioni
- Eumenides_0
- 11 gen 2011
- Permalink
Perhaps if you're a devoté of what used to be called art-house films this movie might not seem so different to you. Otherwise, it is likely to strike the average mover-goer accustomed to average movies as very strange indeed. Much if the dialogue is delivered in a very dead-pan style. Some of the cinematography, however, is really both very original and very beautiful. These are not introspective characters. They sometimes aggravate us because they don't think about their situation and are constantly astounded by what happens. This leaves them the victim of government bureaucracies that are simply too complicated for them to understand. You are unlikely to identify with these characters. Often you wonder whether to take them as mocking caricatures or sympathetic portraits. Still, the movie almost always held me, which is more than I can say for many more "normal" movies.
- richard-1787
- 25 giu 2012
- Permalink
- writers_reign
- 21 ott 2010
- Permalink
If another user is right and the bike Depardieu is riding in this movie (a Mammuth) is worth a lot of money, you should start wondering what he is on about. But then again, I don't think it matters that much, because it is about a system and its flaws. And while it mixes funny situations with very serious matters, it does not get the combination of them both does not always work in favor of the movie.
Still Depardieu tries hard and there are quite a few good scenes, with very good points. Like when Depardieus character tries to "communicate" with a service over a phone. The pacing seemed to be a problem too (all over the place). But then again, there are a lot of people who liked it as it is. It kind of reminded me of the movie "Broken Flowers". Though I think this one is (a little bit) better
Still Depardieu tries hard and there are quite a few good scenes, with very good points. Like when Depardieus character tries to "communicate" with a service over a phone. The pacing seemed to be a problem too (all over the place). But then again, there are a lot of people who liked it as it is. It kind of reminded me of the movie "Broken Flowers". Though I think this one is (a little bit) better
I really don't understand critics and other reviewers who even consider giving more than bomb status to such a mess.
The script is awful, the dialogues are pitiful, the scenes are ludicrous, Depardieu is monstrous, and the film as a whole has no redeeming value whatsoever.
The only thing that enticed us to see the movie was to watch how bloated, fat and disgusting Depardieu has become.
However, the whole movie lacks any sense, interest, motivation, rhyme or reason.
The script has no logical structure.
While there are a couple of slightly humorous scenes, they do not justify spending 90 minutes of your time (not to speak your money).
The script is awful, the dialogues are pitiful, the scenes are ludicrous, Depardieu is monstrous, and the film as a whole has no redeeming value whatsoever.
The only thing that enticed us to see the movie was to watch how bloated, fat and disgusting Depardieu has become.
However, the whole movie lacks any sense, interest, motivation, rhyme or reason.
The script has no logical structure.
While there are a couple of slightly humorous scenes, they do not justify spending 90 minutes of your time (not to speak your money).
- luisfierro
- 23 apr 2010
- Permalink
This movie is a road movie in the France of small people, done by an atypical guy on an atypical bike (would you figure that the antique Munch Mammuth that Gérard Depardieu is shown riding is priced around $100.000?)
As Depardieu is making his trip to the places where he used to live and work, so that he can get the paperwork he needs to retire, we meet a number of comic situations, that often reveal the absurdity of our modern world (see the scene where Yolande Moreau fights against an automated voice phone service). Miss Ming character also gives us some nice touches of craziness.
Besides the comic situations, there is a more serious tone. The movie shows us the rigidity of the retirement system, from which a number of people are excluded, as they are anyway excluded from the whole economical system. A few moments in the movie also make us feel how getting old can be a wrecking for these people.
So there is both fun and sensibility there, and Gérard Depardieu is good at conveying both. This is his best role for a great while and it proves that he stills has something to give.
As Depardieu is making his trip to the places where he used to live and work, so that he can get the paperwork he needs to retire, we meet a number of comic situations, that often reveal the absurdity of our modern world (see the scene where Yolande Moreau fights against an automated voice phone service). Miss Ming character also gives us some nice touches of craziness.
Besides the comic situations, there is a more serious tone. The movie shows us the rigidity of the retirement system, from which a number of people are excluded, as they are anyway excluded from the whole economical system. A few moments in the movie also make us feel how getting old can be a wrecking for these people.
So there is both fun and sensibility there, and Gérard Depardieu is good at conveying both. This is his best role for a great while and it proves that he stills has something to give.
When I read all the other reviews I'm wondering if I watched the same movie as them. One is pretending it's one of Gérard Depardieu's best performance. If that's the case I suppose he didn't watched alot of Gérard Depardieu's movies because this one is really nothing special. A boring story with a mediocre script. The cinematography was also below average. Some scenes are supposed to be funny but if I'm honest I didn't laugh once. So I really don't get what all those positive reviews are about. To me this movie is a waste of time and money.
- deloudelouvain
- 6 ago 2019
- Permalink
- CoBarbarella67
- 14 lug 2010
- Permalink
there are ways and ways to tell a story. Here the two talented directors tried to prove to everyone that everyone's worth watching. like many movies, this one, depending mainly on your mood at the precise time you "encounter" it, will either disgust you or mesmerize you. I sort of loved it, from the beginning till the very end. Pathetics scenes are meant to be pathetic, showing us all of our lives are meaningless and ridiculous from time to time. Though I'm not much into Adjani, Yolande Moreau's acting, for instance is astounding, and unique, almost moving in its "uselessness". The thing is you have to throw away all your prejudices against "people of no importance" before watching this, because if you don't, you will be indeed disappointed and/or upset about losing your time and your money. gave it 8/10, because of its originality, nasty yet tender humor and Yolande Moreau's lines.
- Dhomochevsky
- 20 ago 2010
- Permalink
Strange and beautiful road movie, and for me that was best role of GD ever. It reminds me about Amelie with it's French beautiful romantic and absurd humor, while grainy filming, "real life" attitude, and Depardieu with long hair remind me of The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke.
If you can imagine how two of them would feel combined, I think you would get this movie as a result.
There was absolutely no weak acting here.
Recommended for people who liked movies like "Pierrot le fou", "Bernie", or anyone who wants to discover french humor - a bit dark, sad, cynical, but still romantic at the same time.
If you can imagine how two of them would feel combined, I think you would get this movie as a result.
There was absolutely no weak acting here.
Recommended for people who liked movies like "Pierrot le fou", "Bernie", or anyone who wants to discover french humor - a bit dark, sad, cynical, but still romantic at the same time.
- aim7sparrow
- 16 mag 2010
- Permalink
MAMMUTH (dir. Gustave de Kervern and Benoit Delepine) Gerard Depardieu stars in this art house film about a man who has recently retired from a job at a slaughterhouse, but needs verification of his previous work history to receive a full pension. He takes his 1973 Munch Mammut 1200 motorcycle on a journey across France to visit his old job sites in hopes of obtaining the necessary paperwork, and along the way meets an interesting assortment of oddball characters. When he meets his niece he is introduced to the world of 'naive art', and her tiny cottage is an homage to this curious and strikingly odd brand of folk art. This is a strangely fascinating and unconventional film that was clearly made for aesthetic reasons rather than box office appeal. Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival.
France has a rich history of well written and well crafted films, and this is but another example of such.
Showcasing an acclaimed director and a good cast of actors, it has much going for it; and it delivers with splendid writing, good acting and an impressive script.
It's truly one of the greats and should be watched by any fan of french film, or film in general!
Showcasing an acclaimed director and a good cast of actors, it has much going for it; and it delivers with splendid writing, good acting and an impressive script.
It's truly one of the greats and should be watched by any fan of french film, or film in general!
- martinpersson97
- 28 apr 2022
- Permalink
Bought this on DVD and it's been sitting around uwatched for maybe 2 years. Sorry I didnt see it sooner. Hands down this is a really really good movie. It's surreal and funny and poignant. The clown who gave it a bad review is clearly ignorant. He even says he only watched it to see how bad Depardieu looks. Some critique.
If you have a wry sense of humor you are going to love this film. The nuances of dialog were clearly not recognized by that other dummy.
ee it today!
If you have a wry sense of humor you are going to love this film. The nuances of dialog were clearly not recognized by that other dummy.
ee it today!
Lets just concentrate on one small matter The knowingness of the filmmakers is apparent with there choice of bike. At the time Serge would have been a biker this would have been an aspiration for a European working man that was possible of fulfilment. In his comatose state the world moved on and his icon becomes a forgotten relic as many of the Mammuths did. Out of touch he would be unaware that the bike has now become a cult and consequently recently accrued great value. I have also had my Sidcup moments and in a sort of way also been redeemed by art so I understand that sector of the film, although perhaps in this film is slightly unbalances the structure And then Yolande Moreau can make shaving an armpits so moving that I cried.
Mammuth comedy movie has a very good idea, but unfortunately it cannot expand this idea well. A trip to the past is a return to oneself, and the result of this trip is to find a renewed passion for life. Gerard Depardieu is a powerful actor. The movie is trying to be realistic and the excessive use of camera on hand is for this reason, but the camera movements in camera on hand shots are sometimes not well designed. Although the film tries to have a realistic structure, the shots in which Mammuth remembers his girlfriend overshadows this realism. The film received attention at the Berlin Film Festival.
- hamid-r-goodarzi
- 14 feb 2023
- Permalink