Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: French ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Marie has had a tough childhood ever since her mother Elisa committed suicide. She has spent most of her life in an orphanage and now makes a living as a small time criminal in Paris. Now she wants to unravel her past and find her father whom she blames for her mother's death. ...Élisa ( Elisa )
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A woman smothers her daughter and kills herself on Christmas Eve - but the daughter is resuscitated and survives. Vanessa Paradis plays the girl as she leaves the orphanage where she has spent most of her life, to go and trace the events leading to up her mother's suicide and take revenge on her estranged father who she blames. However, it's not as easy as that as she begins to realise the "official" version of what happened is not necessarily true. I love this film, because it consistently shifts the viewer off balance just as Paradis's character shifts between resolution and doubt. Her performance is superb- she conveys a girl who is psychologically damaged, near psychotic, but not totally beyond redemption. She traces her father, Gerard Depardieu, to an island off Brittany where he is living as a drunken recluse. Hiding her true identity, she sets about her revenge - however, she is unprepared for the emotions that will be unleashed by meeting him, ranging from childish showy-offness to maliciousness to compassion. She also has to confront some new facts that will radically, and distressingly, alter her understanding of the past. Paradis conveys this complexity completely convincingly. Depardieu too, creates a believable and sympathetic character out of an unpleasant drunkard. The plot is melodramatic but serves as a vehicle for some subtle characterisation and that is where the strength of this film lies. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-led drama that gives you something to think about when the film is over.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I initially saw this by accident on television, and was very glad I did. At the time I didn't know Paradis was doing any films and, thinking that she would be just another model turned actress, watched with interest. As it turned out I ended up loving the film. She managed Marie's dark side very well, and brought out her unique street-wise intelligence. The introduction of Gerard Depardieu on the scene was a surprise, and he was his usual self - playing the self loathing, long lost father with his characteristic ease. There were the occasional corny close ups and over-the-top moments, but I didn't mind them. The films off beat humour and smartness made me enjoy it all the more. And of course, Paradis is just beautiful. You can't but watch her! Solange and Ahmed were the perfect sidekicks, but I got the impression that they were played down to give way to Marie's story. However, that may have been wise, as too many 'painful beginnings' create a feeling of general confusion and reluctant pity on the part of the watcher. Overall, I'd recommend it. Eventhough I'm not at all a fan of foreign film, I think this is my one exception.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Vanessa Paradis adds a charismatic presence to this absorbing film, which lives up to the best French cinema traditions. Depardieu is excellent too - as always. Elisa combines bits of light entertainment (such as the amusing shop-scam scene) with depth. As it nears the end, the possible outcomes become intriguing. There are a couple of subtleties I have not yet fathomed, despite two viewings, but I shall look forward to watching it yet again.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
STUNNING!
A MASTERCLASS OF ACTING WITH VANESSA PARADIS ON TOP FORM ONCE MORE,PLAYING A GIRL THAT SURVIVES BEING SUFFOCATED BY HER DESPERATE AND DEPRESSED SUICIDAL MOTHER. Read more
Published 16 months ago by BAZ316
YES!
Come on: Depardieu? Paradis?
What else could you possibly want from a French film?
This is fantastic, and you will never guess what journey it will take you on.
What else could you possibly want from a French film?
This is fantastic, and you will never guess what journey it will take you on.
Published 20 months ago by samuel
Keep watching
I watched quite a lot of this film wondering why I should care about the teenage brat played by Vanessa Paradis and waiting for Gerard Depardieu to appear. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by VCBF (Val)
Excellent film
For those like myself can appreciate a film with original soundtrack being French and English subtitles. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2009 by M. Mander
not one of Gerard's best
The write up made it sound exciting, but sadly was mostly about a horrible teenager who tracks down Gerard. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by jane austen
French Excellence
Have a break from the Mundane American Blockbusters and prepare to be absorbed by a film that carries you through on a journey of young girl (Vanessa Paradis) and her band of... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2000 by Robjblack
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
