a last rental...

from our city's last independent video store (which is due to go out of business around christmas); and well worthy of being a "final act" (so to speak) on their behalf. this film turned out to be unlike anything i was expecting after i'd examined the dvd box at the store. that was a very good thing. i expected subdued, noirish, black and white, deliberate, brooding (all good in their own way)...got kaleidoscopic, colour, raw and energetic, contemporary (even better in this context)...
marion cotillard is fantastic in this. and, as films about the rock and pop celebrity lifestyle go, this is an unusually compelling one, relatively free of cliches, and intelligent. i was totally drawn into her character's flawed world (and scarred psyche), and was unable to keep the emotional distance i usually do when watching a film about a potentially-tragic pop star. her voice is also mesmerizing.
the dvd i rented (and may buy) was subtitled. i'd like to see the film without the subtitles in the future, though.

gregory 121308