Customer Reviews

Celeste [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an evocative and absorbing account of the claustrophobic relationship between Proust and his housekeeper, Celeste. A film not to be missed. One of Adlon's best.

I FIRST SAW THIS FILM ON THE BIG SCREEN, AND IN THE DARKNESS SCRIBBLED SOME OF ITS LINES ON A PIECE OF PAPER, TO USE LATER IN A POEM ABOUT THE PROTAGONISTS. I BECAME SO OBSESSED WITH IT THAT A FRIEND BROUGHT IT TO ME FROM MEXICO. IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST FILMS OF ALL TIME, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT NEVER HAS MADE IT INTO DVD FORMAT. I CANNOT RECOMMEND IT TOO HIGHLY. MY FAVORITE LINE; WHEN PROUST LOCKS HIMSELF FOR A WEEK IN HIS ROOM WHILE CELESTE KEEPS WATCH OUTSIDE. WHEN HE COMES OUT, SHE SHAKES HIM UP WHILE ASKING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS WHY HE HAD DONE THAT TO HER. AND HE ANSWERS: "I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT DEATH FELT LIKE".

Slow-moving but stunningly photographed and detailed account of the relationship between Marcel Proust (Arndt) and his devoted housekeeper (Mattes). Based on the real Celeste's memoirs.