Customer Reviews

La Petite Lili

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

 

 

It was filmed in beautiful Īle-aux-Moines, Morbihan, France. All the actors are quite impressive- even those with minor roles. Take away or add a character and it just wouldn't be the same. The film is based on 'The Seagull', a play in 4 acts by A. Chekhov. In the film, the final act invokes an 'art imitates life' theme that sublimates the tragic ending of the play in a novel way. On first viewing, the direction in this final act in the film seemed a bit contrived, but a subsequent viewing has me convinced that the director's choices - including a minimal amount of dialog - reveal the characters brilliantly. All in all an enjoyable slice of life populated by very believable characters & a fine example of le cinema francais.

The French film "La Petite Lili" takes its inspiration from the Chekov classic "The Seagull." I may be a bit of a philistine for admitting it, but truly--I've sat through enough Chekov in my life thus far to be content to never see another variation! Sorry, had to be said! Surprisingly, however, I really warmed to this film. As you might expect, the movie starts out at an idyllic country estate populated with a complex family of misunderstood academics and artists. Jealousy, illicit entanglements, and familial resentments are present in equal proportion--but the early moments focus on young Julien, an aspiring and temperamental film maker, and his actress muse Lili. Lili, as an outsider, begins to insinuate herself into the pre-existing family dynamic and, in subtle and not so subtle ways, create conflict. Both Robinson Stevenin and Ludivine Sagnier are extremely appealing in these pivotal roles--but really everyone is great!

After this traditional introduction, however, the film fast forwards through time to explore the repercussions of this earlier assembly. In an inspired bit of art imitating life, a film is now being made based on the earlier sequences. A delightful post-modern twist, thus, gives this reinterpretation an unexpected urgency. Bringing everyone together for the filming, there is a surreal charm to the chaotic proceedings. With the film actors intermingling with the people they are based on, the scenes unfolding have been re-imagined through Julien's eyes. The film achieves its power through this multi-layered fiction and adheres to the feel and intent of Chekov but puts quite a delicious spin on it as well. Very pleasant surprise--this one would be especially appealing to the more cinematically inclined. KGHarris, 2/11.

Video:Non-Anamorphic 1.85:1, Non-Progressive, NTSC, Picture is not bad in this dvd spec. / Sound:French DD 2.0, Sound is not bad. / DVD Features:-Interview with Director Claude Miller & -Interview with Actress Ludivine Sagnier & -Director Biography & -Photo Gallery & -Trailer Gallery, Interviews is not image, only text. / Sub:No Sub menu , No Closed-captioned(Amazon`s details are wrong), But English Subtitle is in picture. It can`t Off! / Movie:Cool! / ETC:Ludivine Sagnier is Beautiful and Pretty! But her short nude is in front of the movie only. (If you want naked Ludivine, search for another title) / Rate:Movie is cool, but DVD is lacked. So, Movie Rate+DVD Rate=Rate 3