Clouds of Sils Maria

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 2:16pm

Just saw Clouds of Sils Maria this morning and was completely entranced by the whole thing. I was a fan of Summer Hours, but Olivier Assayas really upped his game with this one. It's part Persona (with Binoche- in Ullman's role- allowed to speak), part Autumn Sonata with a big swirl of Venus in Fur's play within a play what is script and what is reality mixed into the second part of the proceedings. 

The the script is excellent. Lots of discussion about actors, writers- both for the theater and film, styles of acting and how they evolve over time. All the different meta levels combine as the play within the movie not only mirrors the characters, but the real life actors themselves. Stewart defending big budget action films and still being able to find truth in those performances as Binoche scoffs and defends the smaller budget films. "Oh come on," Stewart retorts, "if that story took place on an assembly line or a farm instead of a space ship you would falling all over it." The lines definitely get blurred and both actresses plow full speed ahead into their roles. 

KStew can definitely act, and anyone who wants to protest about Twilight and Snow White will be shut up when they see this movie. While she does good work it is Binoche who overwhelms the screen. I'm a BIG fan of her work and this easily, easily is one of her best roles and performances. Simply stunning stuff. 

The filming of the Swiss Alps and the clouds are beautiful. Loved the (fake?) German documentary on the clouds. All the scenes on their hikes were stunning. 

The movie is refreshing as the mountain air the characters breathe. 

Highest of recommendations. 

[DAME]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 3:20pm

I thought it was a horrible, boring, piece of crap.  Half the audience walked out at last weeks DGA screening.  I wish I was able to do the same.  The acting was atrocious.. but I suppose that was the English as a second language filter to blame.  Glad you enjoyed it.. I left it knowing there is someone out there this kind of thing appeals to.  

Updated On: 4/11/15 at 03:20 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 3:31pm

Wow, we had very different reactions ha. You really thought Binoche's acting was atrocious? I thought it was stylized, but damn near perfection. Binoche speaks English very well, so I wouldn't think the foreign language would affect her performance. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 4:49pm

I seriously enjoyed it too and although I do think it was great to see Kristen Stewart branch out and really show personality, I don't know if her performance really was that great. I think people were just surprised she was a good fit for the role, which I think is different from her being amazing in the role.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 5:00pm

I have never seen the TWILIGHT movies, but I really enjoyed KStew's work in the marvelous ADVENTURELAND.  I'm not surprised by that she's a pretty good actress after all.  I love Olivier Assayas, if you haven't seen IRMA VEP, you must Netflix that s**t, stat!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/11/15 at 5:14pm

Haven't seen Irma Vep, but I'll definitely check it out now. 

Have you seen Summer Hours?