'CARLOS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
This French-German film was originally released as a 3 part mini-series on premium pay TV in France. It was then screened at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival as a 5 and a half hour long movie and later released theatrically (in both a 2 and a half hour version and in it's entirety). It was directed by Olivier Assayas and written by Assayas, Dan Franck and Daniel Leconte. It stars Edgar Ramirez as the title character, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (also known as 'Carlos the Jackal'), the infamous Venezuelan revolutionist and convicted terrorist (currently serving a life sentence in prison). The film (as well as Ramirez's performance) have received a great amount of awards and critical recognition including appearing on many critic's 2010 top ten lists.
The film follows Carlos's rise to fame as a feared terrorist as well as beloved revolutionist. He first participated in several poorly executed bombings and assassinations before becoming notorious for a 1975 raid, staged by him, on the OPEC headquarters in Vienna (where three people were executed). He then took part in several other terrorist attacks while becoming one of the most wanted fugitives in the world. It focuses on his abusive relationships with women and his family (in later years) leading up to his arrest in Sudan in 1994.
The film is interesting and entertaining while still remaining very informative and educational. The pacing is mostly well executed although several minor scenes could have been cut and it really starts to drag in the third act. The film would have been much more efficient and effective at a trimmer more normal running time (like at least three hours or less) but as far as TV mini-series goes (especially a biopic) it more than meets the standard. The directing is very cinematic in scope and Ramirez's performance is comparable in quality to many of the year's major films. The story itself is a little too depressing and disturbing as there are no real heroes to root for and it's more of a tragic tale of misguided ideology than anything else. Still the film does work at what it sets out to do.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5zRynRifs
This French-German film was originally released as a 3 part mini-series on premium pay TV in France. It was then screened at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival as a 5 and a half hour long movie and later released theatrically (in both a 2 and a half hour version and in it's entirety). It was directed by Olivier Assayas and written by Assayas, Dan Franck and Daniel Leconte. It stars Edgar Ramirez as the title character, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (also known as 'Carlos the Jackal'), the infamous Venezuelan revolutionist and convicted terrorist (currently serving a life sentence in prison). The film (as well as Ramirez's performance) have received a great amount of awards and critical recognition including appearing on many critic's 2010 top ten lists.
The film follows Carlos's rise to fame as a feared terrorist as well as beloved revolutionist. He first participated in several poorly executed bombings and assassinations before becoming notorious for a 1975 raid, staged by him, on the OPEC headquarters in Vienna (where three people were executed). He then took part in several other terrorist attacks while becoming one of the most wanted fugitives in the world. It focuses on his abusive relationships with women and his family (in later years) leading up to his arrest in Sudan in 1994.
The film is interesting and entertaining while still remaining very informative and educational. The pacing is mostly well executed although several minor scenes could have been cut and it really starts to drag in the third act. The film would have been much more efficient and effective at a trimmer more normal running time (like at least three hours or less) but as far as TV mini-series goes (especially a biopic) it more than meets the standard. The directing is very cinematic in scope and Ramirez's performance is comparable in quality to many of the year's major films. The story itself is a little too depressing and disturbing as there are no real heroes to root for and it's more of a tragic tale of misguided ideology than anything else. Still the film does work at what it sets out to do.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5zRynRifs