- Actors: Sophie Marceau, Monica Bellucci, Andrea Di Stefano, Thierry Neuvic, Brigitte Catillon
- Directors: Marina de Van
- Writers: Marina de Van, Jacques Akchoti
- Producers: Conchita Airoldi, Diana Elbaum, Dino Di Dionisio, Jani Thiltges, Patrick Sobelman
- Format: Colour, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language French
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Ifc Independent Film
- DVD Release Date: 16 Nov 2010
- Run Time: 111 minutes
- ASIN: B0040QYRT0
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 64,150 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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9 reviews
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
When the past invades the present
8 Jan 2011
Format:DVD
This movie is so bizarre, it held my interest 'till the very end. The opening scenes are interesting. You see a woman getting ready, but you don't see her face as she does. For instance, you see her take a shower but can only see her body through shiny shower tiles, which distort her image. You see her looking in the bathroom mirror, but the mirror is covered with steam from the shower, and so on.
The reason for this, you soon find out, is because this woman is experiencing an identity crisis. As her true identity is slowly unravelled in this movie, it's unravelled in a very bizarre way. Her surroundings and the people in it gradually morph before her eyes. The special effects in this movie are well done and lend a creepy vibe to this movie.
As these changes occur, you're just as bewildered as this woman. It's as if she's entered some alternate universe that's meant to reveal some memories she's repressing, but you don't know what those memories are so they don't quite make sense.
When it's finally revealed at the end, it may or may not be clear to some people. The ending doesn't totally spell everything out, which may annoy some and delight others. I found it delightful because enough is revealed to help me understand her story, but there's still a tiny bit of mystery left to keep it interesting.
The reason for this, you soon find out, is because this woman is experiencing an identity crisis. As her true identity is slowly unravelled in this movie, it's unravelled in a very bizarre way. Her surroundings and the people in it gradually morph before her eyes. The special effects in this movie are well done and lend a creepy vibe to this movie.
As these changes occur, you're just as bewildered as this woman. It's as if she's entered some alternate universe that's meant to reveal some memories she's repressing, but you don't know what those memories are so they don't quite make sense.
When it's finally revealed at the end, it may or may not be clear to some people. The ending doesn't totally spell everything out, which may annoy some and delight others. I found it delightful because enough is revealed to help me understand her story, but there's still a tiny bit of mystery left to keep it interesting.
18 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Good little film, subtle yet brutal
19 Nov 2010
Format:DVD
I figured this could not lose with two of the prettiest ladies in the industry being led by a known female French writer/director, and when the credits rolled I was surprised by how well made the overall production was.
The story follows a young married mother as she fails at getting her novel published, who then decides to search her missing/amnesia-ridden childhood background to learn about herself. What starts as Sophie's beautiful persona devolves into a different woman entirely, eventually morphing into Monica Bellucci's ageless self. The special effects used for this process create quite a disturbing visual feast of what I hope is never attempted again: taking these two and making them virtually unrecognizable through various scenes. To further describe the plot as it continues (in multiple languages) with intricate emotional scenes and twists would do a disservice.
The production had a high value look to it, with only one or two significant flaws in effects. The acting is well performed and believable and I enjoyed the twists thrown at you as truths are uncovered. Some of the scenes are long and give both actresses a chance to utilize their minimalist skills, but the pacing eventually pays off. Not everything is explained openly, so the critiques of being unfulfilled in certain outlets are understandable, but this is worthy of a watch.
The video clarity is solid as is the 5.1 sound. No special features were included, which made me ding this a star because this DVD needed it; between the amount of effects, filming locations, need for a commentary, etc. Enjoy.
The story follows a young married mother as she fails at getting her novel published, who then decides to search her missing/amnesia-ridden childhood background to learn about herself. What starts as Sophie's beautiful persona devolves into a different woman entirely, eventually morphing into Monica Bellucci's ageless self. The special effects used for this process create quite a disturbing visual feast of what I hope is never attempted again: taking these two and making them virtually unrecognizable through various scenes. To further describe the plot as it continues (in multiple languages) with intricate emotional scenes and twists would do a disservice.
The production had a high value look to it, with only one or two significant flaws in effects. The acting is well performed and believable and I enjoyed the twists thrown at you as truths are uncovered. Some of the scenes are long and give both actresses a chance to utilize their minimalist skills, but the pacing eventually pays off. Not everything is explained openly, so the critiques of being unfulfilled in certain outlets are understandable, but this is worthy of a watch.
The video clarity is solid as is the 5.1 sound. No special features were included, which made me ding this a star because this DVD needed it; between the amount of effects, filming locations, need for a commentary, etc. Enjoy.
12 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Underrated, Clever and Unpretentious
29 Dec 2010
Format:DVD
I think this is a very good film. Sure, it's not a big budget movie, but it's not poorly made at all.
It's almost 2 hours long, but it kept me interested the whole time. There was not a single moment when I thought: "Is this ever going to end?" or "This has been done before". The movie develops slowly but there aren't any dry moments or moments that don't add anything to the plot. I think the plot was quite clever without being pretentious. Two different women who may or may not be the same person and who are determined to find out the truth about their real identity. Of course, don't expect a life-changing movie that raises questions or features existentialist messages.
If you have watched Giuseppe Tornatore's "The Unknown Woman" or François Ozon's "Swimming Pool" and liked them, you will definitely like this one as well. It's a whole different plot, but developed in the same way.
Besides, it was refreshing to see a movie where the two leading actresses, while being considered two of the most beautiful women in cinema, played a serious role and there was no need to show them half naked or in unneccesary soft porn scenes, as it seems to be the trend lately in movies.
The movie takes place in Paris and Lecce without making the movie an excuse to show french or italian clichés or picture-perfect scenes. It was also refreshing to see a movie set in Lecce, since a lot of film makers seem to think that Rome, Venice, Tuscany and Sicily are the only places in Italy where a movie should be set.
I am giving this movie 5 stars for being clever, unpretentious and because it focuses on telling a story rather than showing skin and expensive cinematography.
It's almost 2 hours long, but it kept me interested the whole time. There was not a single moment when I thought: "Is this ever going to end?" or "This has been done before". The movie develops slowly but there aren't any dry moments or moments that don't add anything to the plot. I think the plot was quite clever without being pretentious. Two different women who may or may not be the same person and who are determined to find out the truth about their real identity. Of course, don't expect a life-changing movie that raises questions or features existentialist messages.
If you have watched Giuseppe Tornatore's "The Unknown Woman" or François Ozon's "Swimming Pool" and liked them, you will definitely like this one as well. It's a whole different plot, but developed in the same way.
Besides, it was refreshing to see a movie where the two leading actresses, while being considered two of the most beautiful women in cinema, played a serious role and there was no need to show them half naked or in unneccesary soft porn scenes, as it seems to be the trend lately in movies.
The movie takes place in Paris and Lecce without making the movie an excuse to show french or italian clichés or picture-perfect scenes. It was also refreshing to see a movie set in Lecce, since a lot of film makers seem to think that Rome, Venice, Tuscany and Sicily are the only places in Italy where a movie should be set.
I am giving this movie 5 stars for being clever, unpretentious and because it focuses on telling a story rather than showing skin and expensive cinematography.
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