Ricky

I saw this today as part of the Alliance Francais film festival in Brisbane.

While not Ozon's best effort (for me Swimming Pool remains his masterpiece) this is an intriguing whimsical story with disturbing undertones of obsession and sibling rivalry.

The story really makes most sense when considered from Lisa's point of view (a powerhouse performance by the young actress here). I took the fantasy aspect of the story to be a metaphorical expression of integrating new members into a tightly knit family of two (and not just Ricky either). This magical realism is very strongly grounded in the emotions of the characters and this is what gives the movie impact in spite of its imperfections. Ozon likes operating on the boundary of fact/fiction mind/reality, and takes huge gambles here which don't always come off--but in the moments they do the film is very satisfying.

Wow, totally impressed by the performance that showed us L7sa.

I do not think I have ever in my life seen such a bland movie. To watch 90 minutes and wait and even more the wait. Time goes by and I am still waiting for a logical explanation as to why this film was created. But there is no explanation and suddenly it was over.

I've seen thousands movies in my life.

But honestly this movie is the worst.

I have given the film a rating of 1 as it is not possible to give the film less and in reality the film is not suitable to get any numbers at all.

In fact, the film is so meaningless that it should not have existed at all.

I have rarely expected so much from a film but got so little. This was my experience with "Ricky". After all, it's a story about a baby who sprouts wings--and so it's a comedy, right?! Well, no...there really isn't anything funny or even magical about the movie and I thoroughly hated the movie.

The film begins with a single mom, Katie, and her obviously ignored and depressed daughter, Lisa. Lisa's needs or welfare NEVER seem to matter to Katie and often Katie just does whatever she wants. She sees a nice looking guy at work...she has sex with him in a bathroom stall. She has a daughter to pick up at school...she shows up much, much later than she said and the kid just has to wait. She decides to actually DATE the man she had sex with in the stall, she runs off to do this and you assume the kid is with a sitter or at home alone. Later, mom brings the guy home and they screw again--and it's very loud and the kid is forced to hear it all. The next day, the kid sees mom and her latest passion having breakfast and you have no idea how this will impact the child. Most animals seem to have more on the ball regarding parenting than this woman! Look, I am not anti-sex--but there is a reasonable time and place and being responsible sure ain't important to this couple. Later, they create a boy--and the guy runs off for a while. Call me old fashioned if you like, but I didn't think much of this parenting style.

So, at this point, I assumed that when Ricky, the baby, sprouts wings that the parents will FINALLY grow up and there will be some meaning to all of this or some needed personal growth. Nope. Apparently there is no message. Mom, true to form, misplaces Ricky and the film soon ends. Apparently, the baby's needs, like his sister's really don't matter. But at least mom feels inexplicably inspired.

Why do others like this film? All I know is that I couldn't relate to it or enjoy it at all. It's a waste of an interesting idea, that's for sure. And, it really annoyed me.

Must to admit that I studied film making and worked on the field as a film director, and wrote several screenplays. So, possible I see something in this movie that "normal" would not see. Please keep it in mind while reading my review.

pros:* Great message of the movie. The message: "People are generally good. They only need a little of inspiration, care and compassion, and for coming to their loving nature." Love this message very difficult to come across with a message like this now days.

* Very good acting cast. And faces and nature of actors were matched to the message above. * In some places were good cinematographic work

* Brave mix of the fantasy and realistic methods * Good "hidden" references to Mary (mother Mary)

cons: * wings growth was rushed * "media crowd" to generic Meaning that some of the important elements of the movie were underdeveloped.

* most of the cinematographic decisions were generic and predictable (shots, light and such)

But I would suggest to watch this movie to be inspired a little.