MovieChat Forums > And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen... (2002) Discussion > An Underrated Gem

An Underrated Gem

posted 12 years ago by LTUM
8 replies | jump to latest

i have caught this one several times off and on over the years, and i simply love the movie and all its elements

mainly, i really dig the theme and mood of this film. the predicaments of the characters, and then the execution by irons and the the singer lady (forget her name). they did a great job bringing this touching story to life

when i say the mood of it, i mean to say, it's just so pensive, it has a beautiful 'wistful' TONE about it:

---yahts on the mediterreanean

---oceanside tables at plein air cafes

---that gorgeous sinlight

---the music is OF COURSE a winner

---the pace of the film, nice and slow, absorbing

---seems most of the settings are outdoors, and that there's always a breeze
blowing their hair

---the 'gentle summer day' vibe it carries (more like the end of summer, the bittersweet feeling one gets when leaving after a great trip somewhere special)

THEME:

---there's a 'stepping off a cliff' feel to it, probably due to the 'living on the edge' lifestyle of irons, and the circumstance the woman finds herself in

---also i get the feeling of 'one last hoorah' and 'savor the second chance' from this film

---then there's the 'where will we end up?' element, like in some movies where the protag is on an openended journey into the unknown (like gwinneth swimming toward america at the end of shakespeare in love)

---then there's the bittersweet feel of letting go, which both of them are clearly wrestling with (letting go of life or anything, the sensation is the same)

as i said, the music and cinematography assist with all this to a large degree. but i also think the actors did a superb job of bringing it in their roles. they really brought it to life.

bravo, Mr. Lelouch

--------------------------------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2dKNeLqNas

[–] LTUM 12 years ago

i find it interesting there are only five threads on the whole board for this excellent movie. that's very telling. i guess it even add that much more mystique, sanguine to this film.... that tiny sharp feeling that you are the only one who's aware of a thing.

as i said, underrated gym

--------------------------------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2dKNeLqNas

[–] LTUM 11 years ago

that tells me it is definitely an underrated masterpiece. under the radar, so to speak.

i don't think this movie is just for anyone; it takes a certain viewer to 'get' it

"rage to exist..." http://tinyurl.com/c9ush3z

[–] LTUM 12 years ago

someone put a lot of expert time and work into those music sequences. the moodiness was perfectly captured, and fit into the story very well, tied in with the theme and journey of the two main characters.

yet at the same time, they were delightful, giddy, at times. i gotta toss out some special love for the first sequence

Laure Mayne-Kerbrat in white dress, patricia kass in black dress, the interplay between them, the song itself, the timing-pacing of it all.... so well done. contageous fun.

--------------------------------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2dKNeLqNas

[–] LTUM 11 years ago

today as i rewatched it, i realized what genius went into that duo (trio) set they did together.

kaas came off like a goddess in the early scenes. she really conveyed something spectacular. she owned her role.

but i gotta say, if i am honest, that even as hot as kaas was, laura mayne still managed to upstage her. that ebony goddess is so fine it hurts to look at the screen. and her smile? how did they get that on film? amazing. just amazing.

i wish mayne were in more stuff. i also wish there were a proper soundtrack to this film. it would also be nice to see a dvd with extras, etc. but sigh, if it hasn't happened in ten years it's probably not gonna happen

laura mayne wherever you are, peace to you my nubian queen

"rage to exist..." http://tinyurl.com/c9ush3z

[–] LTUM 11 years ago

i place this movie on my 'wide blue yonder' list, up there with lovers of the arctic circle and others. its nuances are exquisite, penetrating. it's obvious the director wove this all together from some superb master vision he had. i would love to learn more about the film but alas there seems to be nothing available.

maybe i will bump into leloach on an island someday

"rage to exist..." http://tinyurl.com/c9ush3z

[–] PlatinumScreen 11 years ago

a proper, excellent post about a beautiful movie that no doubt only improves on subsequent viewings.....

......which i will do quite soon. i don't want to ever say i saw it once a long time ago. ;)

you are exactly right. most of the movie is outdoors and if indoors most of those scenes have some great music attached to it.

and all of your themes are spot on. another one for me was how someone can find understanding and support in the unlikeliest of places from the unlikeliest of people.

thanks, LTUM. :)

[–] LTUM 11 years ago

i'm vibing on this one. it's been on my mind for a month now

i predict i will return to post more and more. it's a shame this board has the allure of an echo chamber, though. this great film deserves more attention, surely

"rage to exist..." http://tinyurl.com/c9ush3z

[–] LTUM 11 years ago

kaas' music is really really special, exceptional, and truly fits the movie. her voice and tunes are perfect for the story, and add a lot to the whole vibe/mood of the flick

i downloaded the album of songs she did in 2002 which serves as the de facto soundtrack since there never was one. for anyone interested i highly recommend getting that album, called "PIANO BAR" (patricia kaas, 2002)

there is something so perfect about this music. and this film. there is a striking existential theme running through the whole thing, and jeremy irons fits into that vibe as well. the whole damn movie is a masterpiece a MASTERPIECE I TELL YOU and i just can't get enough. i wish there were a commentary version for this dvd, though if it's in french i won't understand it anyway. IMO it would be worth learning french just to hear the director talk about this one.

i guess i am the number one fan of this film, at least in the states lol

(i may need to just check the french boards for this one)

"rage to exist..." http://tinyurl.com/c9ush3z