I spent Tuesday night at some friends’ home in Eureka. They had rented the Illusionist which was made by the same guy tho did the Belleville Triplets. Honestly, I’ve read and heard all the hoopla, and while the art is striking, I find both to be a bit indulgent in the weird without substance and neither really took me anywhere.
The Illusionist is a tribute to French mime-like comedy actor Jacques Tati, and maybe if I had ever seen those films the context would have rooted in me a great appreciation for The Illusionist. But I have not, so it did not.
The previews however drew my interest in the film and graphic novels Persepolis, of which I strangely never heard. It’s an autobiographical piece about an Iranian daughter of communists who were initially sanguine about the Iranian revolution, but ended up sending their daughter to Europe – rendering her even less suitable for Iranian life. It’s on my Netflix queue now.
I’ve written a few other posts about Iranian film, in which brilliant art slips through the censors. If Iran can free itself from the current burden, the Renaissance will probably be something to behold.
7 comments
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May 26, 2011 at 8:32 am
Mitch
Indulgent or not, the Triplets of Belleville was one of the most enjoyable movies I’ve ever seen. Eric is correct that it’s weird, and the plot is not its strongest point. But if you’ve never seen it, rent it and you’ll be in for a treat. Any single frame is worth more than the collected works of Tom Cruise. Just remembering the scenes with the dog howling at the elevate makes me want to see it again right now.
May 26, 2011 at 8:50 am
Anonymous
I haven’t seen the film but the Persepolis comic books are very powerful. In the class of Maus or Love and Rockets.
May 26, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Cristina Bauss
“Persepolis” is fantastic, both the book and film. And Marjane Satrapi is a great interview subject – I think I saw her on “Colbert” a year or two ago.
I’m with Mitch on “Triplets,” although I must confess – NOT being a Tom Cruise fan – that I do make an exception for “Born on the Fourth of July.” He was really good in that.
May 26, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Eric Kirk
He was good in The Color of Money as well, though Paul Neuman obviously carried over the character from The Hustler, which was one of the best movies ever made.
May 26, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Anonymous
Persepolis is excellent. Here is the Eye of the Tiger clip
May 26, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Anonymous
I don’t get it.
May 27, 2011 at 8:59 am
Cristina Bauss
You’d have to read the book or watch the film in its entirety to get it!