Betty Blue

As well as being one of the all-time erotic classics (and I mean "erotic" rather than "pornographic") this is simply a fantastic drama, poignant and harrowing, funny and sad. Beautifully shot with amazing colours, quirky characterization, excellent acting and imaginative direction this movie is a delight for all of its 185 minutes (the director's cut is the one to go for). But when is this coming out on DVD? Will the US film company's have enough imagination to bring it out? We can, like Zorg at the end of this movie, only live in hope.

It's a strange movie. For sure the best acting ever by Béatrice Dalle, she's the engine of the story, and she's very convincing. It strikes you with impressive force, helped also by an awesome soundtrack and a photography that takes your breath away. I've never forgotten this movie, perhaps the best french film I've ever seen. A cult-movie !

There are two versions of this movie. One is short version and the other is lengthy uncut version. Short version is just another romantic drama movie. Nothing special. But the uncut version is a real masterpiece. The experience of watching this movie is not like watching it as a spectator; but as a participant. If the actors felt happy, we feel it. If they are crying, we too are crying. If they made love, we feel the pleasure of it. Such strong acting. It is the experience of watching the actual lives of two people through a secret window.

It was ten years ago when I saw the two hour version. Watching the director's cut was like seeing it for the first time. This version concentrated more on Jean-Hugues' character Zorg and his love and devotion to the mentally disintegrating Betty. The story takes its time, allowing us to understand Betty's illness and appreciate Zorg's erratic behaviour. The English title can be off putting because the expectations focus on the character Betty, played brilliantly by Dalle.

Is there one movie you've watched every night for a week? This was mine and I remember that strange feeling you get that every movie to follow will be disappointing in comparison. This movie was extraordinary in sight, sound, emotion, character. In overview it becomes a bit disjointed at a point, and the ending while powerful may not score high in originality. The rest is a masterpiece. This impact remains high because of some of the parallels to relationships I've had... I recall going to the company store on a business trip to Korea. One movie poster hung in the window, Beatrice Dalle in blue...