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Klapisch's Trilogy Is A Slam Against Globalization !!!


Cedric Klapisch's French cinematic trilogy, Spanish Apartment, Russian Dolls, & Chinese Puzzle, together deliver a not so subtle slam against globalization. The lives of Xavier, the protagonist in all 3 films, & the people around him are beneficiaries of 21 Century globalization in terms of computer tech, communications, inexpensive world travel, & job opportunities, but their lives are generally shown to a chaotic mess. It is true that while Xavier & Martine start out as a typical traditional young Parisian couple &, after a 2 decade hiatus, end up finally together at age 40, this "happy ending" comes with a heavy cost. Between them they have 5 kids, none of whom they conceived together. Although the apartment in Barcelona Spain looked like a Pan-European assemblage, in reality, none of these people had anything really in common except that they attended the same school Otherwise, their lives were adrift in different directions. Although thru out all 3 films no character gives an explicit anti-globalization pronouncement, the pronouncement is subtly given at all points in the trilogy thru the non-traditional life choices of all the main characters "imposed" upon them by globalization & the ensuing chaos in their lives, chaos brought on by non-traditional marital partners, non-traditional lifestyles, the breakdown of the nuclear family, non-harmonious interactions with foreign cultures & such. But this heavy handed criticism of the effects of globalization on the individual is delivered thru a sophisticated, light comedic-drama that has high artistic & technical merit. The editing of scenes thru out the trilogy was particularly innovative & the cinematography was superb. The acting by all the players thru out the trilogy was very good. At a certain level, the trilogy is a tongue in cheek Spoof of 21st Century life that is very well executed & has high entertainment value. 20 Stars !! 20 Stars !! 20 Stars !!

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