Customer Reviews

Triple Agent

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

 

 

this is the story of a man who is caught in the web of his own political associations during a timeline which was influenced by great social and political changes.. Moreover, it is the tale of a couple forever changed by circumstances that seem to be above their control.. And when magnified further, it is the story of a couple who are quite communicative - yet not able to communicate about the central things which will change their lives..

This is my introduction to the French director Rohemer, I have not seen any of his films which some consider to be classic yet difficult films..

This movie certainly opens up my curiousity.. as it is such a well done and multifaced exploration of a time period - and also a lifestyle that deserves examination..

As others have noted this film is full of tedious conversations - it moves kind of slowly, but like the novels of Proust it is worth the effort.

This is my reason for the 4 star rating - it is not for everyone - but well worth the time..

Eric Rohmer makes a spy film - though as one critic puts it, that doesn't make him likely to be a front runner to direct the next James Bond movie. Set on 1936, under the shadow of the Popular Front victory in France's elections, and based on the real life case of Russian spy Nikolai Skoblin, the movie is mostly about people in closed rooms chatting about politics. But most of the talk seems intelligent and engaging (by the way, the movie follows the real case closely, if you believe the Wikipedia article about Skoblin). The actors are fine, as usual in Rohmer films - Renko is slippery as the titular spy, Didaskalu shines as his suffering and naive wife, Langlet seems lovely as the couple's communist neighbor. Now the Popular Front victory of the time probably means next to nothing to most people today - but it was probably a life moving experience for Rohmer - who was 16 at that time. In a way, this film is about Rohmer again settling scores against the French left, though thankfully, his conservative politics aren't as overbearing as in "The Lady and the Duke".

Eric Rohmer will undoubtedly sustain in cinema history as a unique writer and director of French films. He is far more interested in dialogue, conversation among his characters, and ideas than he is in plot or storyline development. His films affect many as too didactic, too much like a lecture series on current events or historical events to be considered a movie. Perhaps that is the case, as watching a Rohmer film takes total concentration and thinking.

Such is the case for his 2004 TRIPLE AGENT. Set in Paris of 1936-37, it is essentially a re-thinking of a true story that about a spy, a bit of history that is still unsolved. To understand this film requires a working knowledge of the political movements intertwining during the time: France's Popular Front, Hitler's rising influence in Europe, the Stalinist era, the Spanish Civil War with Franco and his adversaries, etc. The mix is all placed in the thoughts and discussions of Fyodor Voronin (Serge Renko), his Greek painter wife Arsinoé (Katerina Didaskalu) and their interactions with the changing people of the political ploys (played with sincere verve by Cyrielle Claire, Grigori Manukov, Dimitri Rafalsky, Nathalia Krougly, Amanda Langlet, Jeanne Rambur, Georges Benoît, Emmanuel Salinger among the large and confusing cast). The 'story' emerges from Fyodor's relationship to the political leanings that pull his attention away from Arsinoé and the complications of his physical structure with his intense involvement in the political and ideological climes.

The film works for those with enough savvy to catch all the intrigues of that period in European history. But for a film so completely dependent on rhetoric and smart dialogue this project suffers greatly from the poor subtitles: while most of the French is translated for us, much of the Russian and German is not, as though we all have access to those languages. The result is a static, dry, intense film in which much is lost due to technical flaws. The cast is excellent but the editing and clarity of each character's role falls by the wayside far too often. Rohmer's genius is there, but it is an acquired taste. Would that the viewer had the background knowledge somehow supplied to support the fine story that is being related! Grady Harp, December 06

TRIPLE AGENT (2004) Directed and Written by Eric Rohmer.
Starring Serge Renko.

It is France in 1936 and the Popular Front---the alliance of the Communists and various socialist and liberal parties--have just won the election and formed a govt under Leon Blum. This now means that the NKVD has free run of the country which is trouble for the White Russian emigre community living around Paris. Fyodor, though the second in command of that community, may also being working with the National Socialists of Germany or the NKVD of Communist Russia. Even his wife does not know.

A superlative and extremely unique historical French film that not only does it dramatize in detail a specific period in French history but, without ever leaving the rooms of the main characters, also addresses the Spanish Civil War, Reynardt Heydrich, Michael Tuchachevsky, the Great Terror and the eventual Alliance between Nazi Germany and Communist Russia. Though heavily fictionalized, the film is based on the true incident that happened with 1937 when a White general--with the connivance of the Socialist French govt--was kidnapped by the NKVD and murdered in Moscow. The film attempts explore whether the Fyodor character was responsible-----something even today is still unknown.

A fascinating, intelligent and shockingly honest film about Communism that simply could not and would not ever be made in this country. It is even shocking that the French would!!! The picture is pretty much being thrown into the deep end of the pool and told to swim for the historical novice but the film does take pains to make clear just what is going on with bubbling and insightful dialogue. Those familiar with the history already will enjoy themselves mightily. The acting....especially the two leads...is about as solid as could be. The direction and period feel is spot on AND the film is very much a throwback to a 30s/40s melodrama. There is no CGI nor wacky action sequences. Characters do not rut at the drop of a hat nor use obscene language like longshoreman. There is even an Iris fade in and out........something I have not seen in a film in decades!!

A truly perfect film and well worth the time of any serious movie or history fan. It is also that very rare thing....a truly brave and subversive film and should be supported.

Possibly the best film of that year and highly recommended.

Liberals should probably avoid though.

Koch Lorber Films and Compagnie Eric Rohmer / Rezo Films / Rezo Prods. present - "TRIPLE AGENT" (2004) - Eric Rohmer, (Dolby Digital) --- Under Eric Rohmer (Director / Screenwriter), Francoise Etchegaray (Producer), Philippe Liegois (Producer), Jean-Michel Rey (Producer), Diane Baratier (Cinematographer), Mary Stephen (Editor), Antoine Fontaine (Art Director) ------ the cast includes Katerina Didaskalu (Arsinoe), Serge Renko (Fyodor), Cyrielle Claire (Maguy), Grigori Manukov (Boris), Dimitri Rafalsky (General Dobrinsky), Nathalia Krougly (La Generale), Amanda Langlet (Janine), Jeanne Rambur (Dany), Emmanuel Salinger (Andre), Vitalyi Cheremet (Alexis Tcherepnine), Bernard Peysson (Le medecin), Laurent Le Doyen (Le journaliste), Emilie Fourrier (L'aide-couturiere), Alexandre Koltchak (Planton), Vladimir Léon (Chernov) ------ our story enters the political world of espionage between Marxists, Communists and Soviets and the man who knew all the secrets of deception ... if there is another war who's side will the White Russians step up to join ... is General Fyodor deceiving many of his comrades plus his wife ... Rohmer creates an invigoratingly ambitious film, based on factual accounts ... the tension between political action and personal responsibility (as well as between fact and perception) thrums on every level, and Rohmer's formal voice is cool and ironic, jump-cutting between scenes and patiently observing the characters try to talk their way out of big continental trouble ... the acting, mostly by Didaskalu and Serge Renko, masterful, but you get to see them handle acres of thought, dialogue, and interaction without interruption ... Director Rohmer views the film and plot line from the perspective of a heart-strong woman: Katerina Didaskalu, as the Skobline character's sensual, art-devoted wife, who pays the biggest price of all ... not to be a spoiler, but this film spells pure suspense with a flair for mystery thrown in for good measure.

BIOS:
1. Eric Rohmer (aka: Jean-Marie Maurice Schérer)
Date of birth: 4 April 1920 - Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France
Date of death: Still Living

BONUS FEATURE:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. The Miller-Skobline Case Featurette

Great job by Koch Lorber Films for releasing "Triple Agent" (2004) - Eric Rohmer, the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the foreign film market --- order your copy now from Amazon or Koch Lorber Films where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for top notch drama mixed with an outstanding cast and director --- just the way we like 'em

Total Time: 115 mins on DVD ~ Koch Lorber Films KLF3078 ~ (1/10/2006)

Overall, I liked the dialogue and historical setting. I haven't read much about the Whites and the Reds beyond the 1917 Revolution. Nice change of pace. The part I thought lacking was the main star's lack of on screen fieldwork. He sure got around, but you hear of it more than experience it. I was thinking it was possible he was living a fantasy life, but then you'd see him with actual Generals and peers and they did know him. You have to read the English subtitles.

Product Details listed:

* Actors: Serge Renko, Katerina Didaskalou, Emilie Fourrier, Alexandre Koltchak, Amanda Langlet
* Directors: Eric Rohmer
* Format: Color, NTSC, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled
* Language: French, German, Greek, Russian
* Subtitles: English
* Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
* Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
* Number of discs: 1
* Rated: Unrated
* Studio: KOCH LORBER FILMS
* DVD Release Date: January 10, 2006
* Run Time: 115 minutes

I ordered this movie but received the version that is only in French with English subtitles. Maybe I was sent the wrong version... just letting you know that this may happen to you as well.

"Triple agent", directed by Eric Rohmer, is a movie that is highly likely to intrigue you. Set in an interesting historical period (1936-37 France), and based more or less loosely on the true story of a Russian spy, this film comes alive thanks to splendid performances by a wonderful cast.

Fyodor Voronin (Serge Renko) is a Russian living in exile in Paris, with his beautiful Greek wife, Arsinoe (Katerina Didaskalu). Fyodor, a former general, seems to have a regular job with the Russian Army Veteran's Association, but according to some, he deals with secrets he shouldn't know about. Is he a secret agent? A double, even a triple agent? His wife doesn't know, and doesn't really seem to care too much. But how far is a little ignorance a good thing?

Trust and lies are at the center of this beautiful film, that benefits from the historical perspective given by small clips of news that from time interrupt the flow of the story. This is not my favourite film but Rohmer, but it is one that I enjoyed, despite the fact that I didn't specially enjoy the ending. Recommended...

- Belen Alcat, June 2007 -

PS: I give this film 3.5 stars. If you want to watch my favourite Rohmer film, give "L'ami de mon amie" a try.

I really liked this movie but really got lost at the end. Even though I would recommend it highly.

Great acting!

barb