MovieChat Forums > De rouille et d'os (2012) Discussion > Did anyone expect more from this film?

Did anyone expect more from this film?

posted 11 years ago by thisisthegirl011
15 replies | jump to latest

I was really gutted I didn't get to see this film in the cinema because the trailer looked out of this world. Anyway I bought the DVD and watched it last night and just felt there was something missing. Maybe I expected too much. I didn't like the soundtrack, Katy Perry? I can't stand that song.

But there's no doubt the acting was fabulous and the story was interesting. Anyway, I'm not slating it, just wondered if anyone else felt that it was a bit overrated?

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

Yes I expected more. I believe it won the best film award at the London film festival and so I came to it with high expectations. Especially as I was a fan of Audiard's films. Having written that I want to see the film again not least to appreciate Schoenaerts as Ali. He was a big plus in this film.

Away with the manners of withered virgins

[–] take_exit3 11 years ago

I understand what you mean. I think the problem was that the trailer was just too good. Plus it made him seem more romantic to her than he actually was. I hated that he left her at that bar. But maybe that's just me. So good movie, but not as epic as the trailer would leave I to believe.

[–] drnutkin 11 years ago

Yes. I watched it after watching Bullhead and so I was firstly disappointed that Matthias Schoenaerts didn't have much to work with in this movie, since he was so good in a really bizarre role in that one. But I agree that the acting was as good as it could be. I wasn't really bothered by the Katy Perry song because it was believable as something they'd play during a whale show, and that's what she would remember. The remixed Bruce Springsteen song actually made me laugh out loud though - so out of place.

For me, the biggest disappointment was the ending, which seemed so false and so tidy. In general I'm kind of tired of plots where the woman has to retrain the man to think about more than just sex, and it's even worse when the man is redeemed by a Child In Danger. I guess ultimately the movie was much more conventional and "mainstream" than I was expecting, obnoxious as that might sound. I think people who don't tend to like "foreign films" (I'm from the U.S.) could watch this without incident, not that that in itself is a bad thing of course. So many people whose film opinions I usually agree with loved it, so I feel like I was just missing something.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

I think the film was unclear in its intent. Was the film about Stephanie, or Ali? In a way it was about both and their relationship of course, but neither character was entirely satisfying. The film was a bit distracted. Given your post about Bullhead it's possble to argue both films were pulling in different directions. I would need to see Bullhead again but I have a feeling the crime plot is an important back drop to the story and character of Jacky, which adds dimension to Jacky.

The one thing I liked about the child in danger scene, not having been a fan of it when I saw it at the cinema, was the imagery of frozen water, ice, and it cracking and breaking as a symbol of Ali and his feeling life.

Away with the manners of withered virgins

[–] drnutkin 11 years ago

I don't really know what the intent of the movie ultimately was either, which may well be my problem more than a problem with the film. Structurally I think Bullhead is a much bigger mess, because even if the crime backdrop adds to Jacky's character, it's in too different a tone to really work well. I think Rust & Bone is more consistent in terms of tone/stylistic intent, but its central characters are much less well-developed and engaging (to me at least). On the other hand, R&B made so many credible people's yearly best-of lists that I really think I'd need to rewatch it without any expectations, if not to actually come to enjoy it then to at least appreciate why it was so lauded.

[–] thisisthegirl011 11 years ago

Yes I agree it was more 'mainstream' than I was expecting too, shame.

[–] Yorick_Brown 11 years ago

Yeah. I wanted more scenes on the relationship between the two and Alain could have been more likeable.

Take us down and all apart
Cherry Tree
Lay us out on the table

You're sharp alright...

[–] Pequod88 11 years ago

Marion Cotillard owns the film, imo. She is a tremendous talent. I found her character far more complex and compelling than the dim Alain. Matthias Schoenaerts is quite good, even with a character less interesting than Jacky (Bullhead). While on balance I feel the film is strong, the ending rang false and felt rushed. The scene on the ice was tense, yet the symbolism heavy handed (so to speak). Traumatic experiences can change people, and epiphanies are possible. Nonetheless, the close was frustrating with its embrace of easy sentimentality. It felt somewhat as if it came from a different film than the one that had preceded it.

[–] Yorick_Brown 11 years ago

Nice analysis but why are you telling me this?

Take us down and all apart
Cherry Tree
Lay us out on the table

You're sharp alright...

[–] DjMethod 11 years ago

Marion Cotillard owns the film, imo. She is a tremendous talent. I found her character far more complex and compelling than the dim Alain. Matthias Schoenaerts is quite good, even with a character less interesting than Jacky (Bullhead). While on balance I feel the film is strong, the ending rang false and felt rushed. The scene on the ice was tense, yet the symbolism heavy handed (so to speak). Traumatic experiences can change people, and epiphanies are possible. Nonetheless, the close was frustrating with its embrace of easy sentimentality. It felt somewhat as if it came from a different film than the one that had preceded it.

Well-put. My frustrations stemmed from the rushed ending as well. However, they have been tempered a bit after shifting my frame of view from Ali's behavior to his relationships. It helps to recognize that the resolution is more in place to address how Ali is able to open up and become compatible with Stephanie. I, for one, kept waiting to see how Ali's behavior was going to turn around, but this is surely a red herring. The film is more about how these two cannot be fully aligned until each undergoes a traumatic experience that fundamentally changes them, at least enough to make it work. It explains why he keeps custody of his son too (which I was initially disappointed with). He hasn't turned his behavior around--he has simply opened up to those around him. Since this is not as profound a change, it does not demand a lengthier ending.
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[–] Sheldonshells 11 years ago

lol a "bit" overrated? Are you kidding? More like WAAAAAAAAAAAY overrated!!! This movie was a total bore.

[–] CoSMiGoNoN 10 years ago

I thought the movie was incredibly boring. Kept waiting for something interesting to happen, but gave up after an hour and turned it off.

[–] kidjay83 10 years ago

Yeah its like eating your favorite dish with that doesn't have all the ingredient's that make it what it is .It still tastes good but you know it could be better.

Only when society changes will the culture change "

[–] chopperman 10 years ago

i thought it was a moving take on the fight film genre. had this been an american popcorn movie it would have had a more likeable character for the dad/fighter, the typical cliched relationship with the trainer/mentor and the usual girl next door love interest. this had layers and it was two stories interwoven. the drama with the kid was very compelling because bad things happen to the poor little guy. that bothered me. i would recommend the film to others, though probably would not want to see it again.

Larry Gaylord: "a billion come in on a day off,and they don't flip out!"

[–] shantytown1212 10 years ago

just felt there was something missing

Straining hard to suppress the obvious response.