Customer Reviews

Face cachée de la lune, La (Original French Version With English Subtitles)

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

 

 

I usually don't review any of the films I see, but I believe that this one deserves it given that I believe it's been overlooked. It's one of those rare films that combines the surreal and breathtaking visuals with the utterly banal in a completely compelling way. The only other films I've seen that have done that successfully are The Graduate and Rushmore but that's really just a guess and not a fair assessment to any of them. It's unique when a film can bring up true emotions through the completely obscure such as the chute of a dryer turning into the outer face of an orbiting sattelite. Some may be turned off by the inconclusive ending and slow moments but I see it more as a bagatelle than a three act hollywood film. It's sad to think about the plight of the main character and I'm not really sure what to make of it but that's what life can be like for some stuck in their own bleak insular world. Anyway, no plot summaries here given that I wouldn't even know whhere to begin. You should definitely see it though. It's an experience.

..the way lepage cleverly constructs his theatre pieces is very much evident in this low-budget epic of his.

after seeing his last show at the Barbican, 'The Andersen Project' which is a critique of modern France and applies the disitegration policy of the Banlieues onto the cultural policy and the pathetic far side of the arts- I couldn't resist not to look into his film work.

his strong comment is so resonant- I can't wait for it to become a film.

Being a fan of the liveness of the theatre, I am amazed how that was brilliantly transposed through a breathtaking score by Benoit Jutras- onto the screen.

decadently informative, spectacular visually, a slap in the face to everybody who forgot to...listen.

I decided to write a review since it seems this film had only 1 reviewer, which is a shame since it is such a good film. I saw it in NYC at an IFP screening and was amazed at how Lepage was able to play both starring roles (of twin brothers) and direct this film at the same time. The visuals are amazing, so as a filmmaker you will love that part alone, but at the same time the story is very heart warming and witty, basically focusing on the twin brother's relationship (both played by Lepage). If I can describe it best, it's a Wes Anderson film mixed in with Kubrick ala 2001. The dialogue is witty, intelligent, pedantic at times, but fascinating... and if you enjoy that sort of thing, like I do... you will definitely love this film and the characters that inhabit Lepage's world where even the blandness is fascinating.

I've seen the live theatrical version of the same title. On stage,it's surely one of the best things I've ever seen. But it was with another actor as the main caracter. I love Lepage's visions, concepts and direction, but he is embarasing as an actor. The film is good for the text and ideas, but is a poor version of the real performance.

I loved, loved, loved this film when it played in theatre. Took friends, and we all agreed it was one of the best Canadian films we have ever seen.

Despite that, aviod this DVD unless you're fluent in French (a US version will be released soon in the states, I'm going to check it out). The main problem? HORRIBLE english subtitles. The only english subtitles are for the deaf, meaning everyting is subtitled. For example [music playing] [inaudible chatter] and the lyrics to songs in English (but not the French ones?!?). A real dissapointment and too distracting for me to keep the dvd. I wrote the production company about it but god luck ever getting response from them. There's a reason you don't subtitle films like this, or at least subtitle them two ways which can be selected.

This is such a beautiful film, it's a shame to see it so mishandled. Aliance Atlantis keeps screwing up DVD movies, what with the Canadian 2 disk Triplets of Belville with less extras then the one disk American one, the blip on the 2:50 mark on Best of Youth, and a general disregard for extras of picture (don't even get me started in what happend to Hard Core Logo-full screen?!? ...Christ) . People there should really care about their movies more or get out of the buisness. Man, I sound bitter.