Customer Reviews

L' Idole

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

 

 

Note: Presented in French, no English subtitles.

Sarah (LeeLee Sobieski), an aspiring young actree from Australia moves into an upscale apartment building in France. When a brief but emotionally charged relationship fails and she loses the lead role in a play Sarah falls into a sucidal depression. Unable to function or complete the most elementary of daily tasks, she lays prostrate on her bed neglecting both hygiene and nourishment.

Fortunately an elderly Chinese neighbor (James Hong) observes her plight through an open door and decides to care for her. Taking on the chores of cooking and cleaning he nurses her back to health. Before long a tenious bond of friendship and mutual fascination forms between them.

The pace of the film is excruciatingly slow and for those who watch it to the conclusion are bond to wonder why they even bothered. For those who want to see LeeLee Sobieski topless I guess this is the movie for you. Or if you're a manic depressive who appreciates slow, somber studies in self-loathing and psychological isolation, ENJOY!

This movie is a really good example of French Art House. It is also a very interesting "cross cultural" subject because it involves a very traditional old Chinese within a French background and with an Australian woman!
There is something about this type of French movie that nobody else can make. It is erotic without being pornographic. It is slightly seedy, and yet it is not. The characters are all faulty in some way or another, and the interaction is very dramatic. It is all held together by the inscrutable Chinaman, who speaks fluent French and is the glue to the entire piece.
It is probably not for everybody, because if you can't appreciate the characterisations and the underlying meaning of all that is going on, then the apparent slow pace might seem boring. I have watched it 5 times now, and i get something more from it each time.

On the face, this film seems to promise a lot, but in practice it it is a monument to pretension and boredom. I really find no redeeming elements anywhere. The actors seem to be in a continuous state of catatonia. I have seen my share of slow but excellent movies, for example, "Ma nuit chez Maude." Leelee Sobieski's outstanding scene is her vocal fake orgasm. I wonder whether she could do a bit of better acting, or the films she has made are consistently mediocre. Still waiting. Don't get me wrong, she is, as usual, impressibly beautiful. James Hong is the "inscrutable" Chinese! My, my, the director, Lang, should know better. A better cinematography could have made this film more palatable. I have seen better in soap operas.

In essence, it was a waste of my time and money. Don't bother!

this wasn't the movie i was looking for, same title wrong movie, but the quality was very good. thank you