MovieChat Forums > Choses secrètes (2002) Discussion > utter rubbish!

utter rubbish!

posted 18 years ago by K_M_R_I_A
44 replies | jump to latest

Watching this movie and then reading the positive reviews on the database once again made me question the sanity of mankind.

There is a certain hypocrisy in the fact that a movie with the storyline of a bad softcore porno, the cinematography of an even worse softcore porno, dialogues more horrible than the dialogues in a low budget hardcore movie and the erotic atmosphere of watching paint dry, can get such a high rating. What is there in this movie that misleads people? Do they really think the pseudointellectual blabbering of the characters (to even call it dialogue would actually be an offense to the art of screenwriting) transports some meaning? Do they think the glossy but bland visuals are aesthetic, that they transport information? Are we really expected to care for the people in this movie? Are we expected to believe that a woman practically raped falls asleep at the very same floor she was assaulted? Are we to believe that a caricature of the male specimen of mankind, with the eloquence of a toaster, the looks of a 13 year old with to much shoecreme in the hair and the moronic expression of a not very well crafted gargoyle, is a gifted manipulator and a succesfull businessman? Isn't a manipulator supposed to be able to act? And by the way aren't actors supposed to be able to act?

If you liked this movie so I am directly insulting you here, so please step forward and put your point here, as I am always fond of a good argument. Please excuse my rude tone, but I felt really directly attacked by the sheer incredible campiness (in its most negative manifestation) of this waste of celluloid.

Cheers!

[–] universe940-1 18 years ago

how dare you, you mongrel!!!

[–] edrisi 18 years ago

The fact you disliked the film has no relationship to the sanity of mankind.

Nor does it have the slightest connection to whether or not I liked the film.

Your "review" suggests confusion and a limited understanding of the english language. The aesthetic values you attack reflect your view- there is no element of hypocrisy in others affording the film a high(er) rating.
Your view and your opinions insult no-one.
And never apologise for your "tone"-go with it , have the courage of your convictions.

Cheers.

And so it goes

[–] renot108 18 years ago

Jeez relax! Ok so you didn't like it. Who gives a shlt???

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] fluffer70 18 years ago

KMRIA, just take a chill pill and stop getting worked up over somnething really not that important. So you spent a couple of quid renting it or even less watching it on Sky/Cable, Jesus, it's like you lost tens of thousands of pounds investing in the film and it not making your money back.

I thought it was quite watchable, not the best foreign language film I've seen but most definitely not the worst. It actually got me rather excited with it's sensual, forbidden nude scenes. I disagree with you and believe you could actually sympathise with the characters. Nathalie just wanted someone to love her, Sandrine wanted success and money, Delacroix wanted some escitment in his 20 year marraige. Everyone got what they wanted in the end. So Barney was a bit over the top and unrealistic, so what?

I know the whole purpose of this forum is for users to express their views, but don't come on slagging off everybody who might enjoy a film that you didn't. Get your head from in the clouds and feet back on the ground. Next time you watch a Jean-Claude Brisseau, watch it with a strong Bombay Sapphire and Tonic, you might enjoy it more!

Peter

[–] Raksha_Keller 18 years ago

I have to agree with Peter a 100%.
Only thing is I found Barney to be quite real, lol.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] steveblake 17 years ago

Mission Impossible 3 is REALLY good you know.

[–] eldelph 18 years ago

I was so relieved to see KMRIA's post... I banned my boyfriend from chosing any more Netflix movies for two weeks after watching this train wreck last night. This movie reflects one of the lamer sides of French culture, and made me want to gag myself with a spatula.

Nothing but Brisseau's poorly developed male fantasy.

[–] vincentywang 17 years ago

So far the highlights of this chain of messages are the original post by KMRIA, and the spatula comment made by eldelph above. All the other posters managed to scornfully reject KMRIA's response as absurd (for various silly, irrelevant reasons), while dodging all the specific challenges she/he raised.

The low quality of the comments in this "arthouse flick" probably has to do with the film's reputation for bold visual of sexuality, which attracts generally an audience who would not have sought out this movie otherwise, and who are not usually acquainted with critical thinking when it comes to film-watching.

I don't find this movie unbearable, but laughable. It is semi-interesting as a study of the screenwriter/director's adolescent frame of mind. A male fantasy, for sure; but with all the scenes of emotional/sexual violence, orgies, incest, still a very, very boring fantasy. As Graham Greene put it, "cynicism is cheap - you can buy it at any Monoprix store - it's built into all poor-quality goods. " Haneke is a great director not merely because of his wintry cynicism, but far, far more for his greater films' psychological depth, which is often achieved through paradoxical juxtaposition of mental aspects. That is totally missing in Brisseau's film of cardboard, exploitative "characterizations". Nay, Brisseau is no more like Haneke than Dan Quayle to Bobby Kennedy.

[–] colinbuckle 17 years ago

I agree that this is a very poor excuse for a film. Seems more like the male fantasy of the writer or director. Pretends to be a serious film and gets aspiring actresses to perform roles that they would rather not. This film has no positive aspects t it - directing - no; editing - no; cinamatography - no; script - no.....etc.

As a male it reminded me more of a Marc Dorcel porn film. Save yourself the time and watch something else.

[–] markdonners 17 years ago

I gave up on this film! What a pile of tosh! Agree it is a male fantasy film...

[–] julianoeastwood 17 years ago

screenwriting ain't art

[–] rb_dante 17 years ago

well the movie is good for soft porn element, if anything

[–] missyl-2 17 years ago

I thought the movie had some potential up until when the main girl, her friend and the boss dude got caught by that weirdo guy. From there it just went doooooownhill into a full blown porno.

[–] mamouth007 17 years ago

I agree with you.
I really don't understand how people could like this kind of crap.
It only took me 5 minutes get that this movie would be ridiculous.

I rate it 1/10.

[–] bluesy 17 years ago

Do they really think the pseudointellectual blabbering of the characters (to even call it dialogue would actually be an offense to the art of screenwriting) transports some meaning?

Hollywood fanboys will never understand art movies or anything different, too sexy or provocative anyway. Or movies where you have to use your brain or understand the context, story or whatever. A little bit more complex then a Steven Spielberg or Michael Bay movie, to say the least.

The same goes for you KMRIA, keep enjoying your type of movies, I loved this one much more then many similar movies that came out from the USA in the last years. French cinema always was and always will be unique in its way giving so many versatile and great directors. From the silent era to today...

"Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world."

[–] K_M_R_I_A 17 years ago

It's interesting that once one bashes an "European art movie" one automatically is diagnosed with the blind following of hollywood blockbusters (by the way I think MI3 was just terrible). Actually there is something like a "lobby-independent" opinion, and I have seen masterworks come out of france as well as out of hollywood, but the same goes for the rubbish.

To clear it up: I am living in Austria, am Polish born and work as a screenwriter. That also is the reason why I consider screenwriting an art (why isn't screenwriting and being a novelist is?). Quality never has been an attribute of a country or a film industry it is the result of the team of artists and technicians working on a project.

It is no contradiction: choses secrets AND MI3 are in my opinion disastrous.

Talking about "French cinema" as it would be a homogeneous and isotropic mass is a bit simplifying, ain't it? And I really think that there is a difference between having a subtext and letting ones characters explaining the subtext.

cheers

[–] 17 years ago

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