Before we get to the review, let's pop in our pocket protectors and wake up our inner film nerd. Yes, it's that kind of movie, but not in a heavy-handed artsy way that will lose the casual moviegoer. This flick is a fine example of how to mix technical wizardry and down-to-earth storytelling to create a masterpiece that can be enjoyed by everyone.
"Madame de..." (1953) is a wonderful Victorian period piece adapted from the 1951 French novel by Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin. It's set in Vienna at an ambiguous time in the 19th century (before electricity was discovered in 1879 is all we can surmise), and it tells the tale of one of the many nameless, unremarkable rich socialites of the time except that something remarkable happens to her. Indeed, the opening titles tease us with: "Her life would have been forgotten by history, if not for those jewels."
What follows is an brilliant unraveling of the mystery, supposedly centered around a trivial set of earrings but revealing itself to be so much more. I've never read the book, but story reminds me a lot of a classic Maupassant tale, using a deceptively simple object (or "McGuffin" as Hitchcock would say) almost as a ruse to snare the audience into a much deeper story. That's all I'll say about the plot, except that this is loosely a love story but with many complications and unexpected emotional conflicts that can hardly be described in a 500 word review so I won't even try. This is no simple girl-meets-boy story. It plays out like a Tolstoy epic.
For the last part of my review, I need to tie up & gag my inner film nerd because this is the kind of film that cinephiles will jabber on endlessly about. But it's not so artsy & esoteric that it would exclude casual movie audiences. Unlike classics such as "Citizen Kane" which often require you to watch documentaries, deep investigations & commentaries by film aficianados before you truly grasp its majesty, "Madame de" instantly hits us with gorgeous, memorable images and camera work that makes us realize we're in classy film territory. For example, pay attention to how active the camera is, effortlessly flowing around the actors, objects and scenery, showing us so many things that are happening at once. And yet there are no jarring edits and cuts to different cameras and angles; so much is done with just 1 camera. In this way, director Max Ophüls draws us into the drama as if we are silent observers sitting, or some cases dancing, in the same room. The sets are enormous and lavish, often with mirrors and windows showing us what's happening in other rooms, even though our attention is firmly focused on the principal drama in front of our eyes. My inner film nerd is frothing at the mouth so I'll just leave it there.
"Madame de..." is an amazing experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone. If you're new to classic art cinema, this would be a great place to start. Definitely check this out if you are a filmmaker, artist, writer, or if you're involved in any sort of entertainment, creative pursuits or performance (this film is so much like a choreographed dance--with the camera being the main dancer). This film is like a masterclass in everything.
So just watch it already. Hurry up, I'm about to untie my inner film nerd, and then you'll never hear the end of it.
"Madame de..." (1953) is a wonderful Victorian period piece adapted from the 1951 French novel by Louise Lévêque de Vilmorin. It's set in Vienna at an ambiguous time in the 19th century (before electricity was discovered in 1879 is all we can surmise), and it tells the tale of one of the many nameless, unremarkable rich socialites of the time except that something remarkable happens to her. Indeed, the opening titles tease us with: "Her life would have been forgotten by history, if not for those jewels."
What follows is an brilliant unraveling of the mystery, supposedly centered around a trivial set of earrings but revealing itself to be so much more. I've never read the book, but story reminds me a lot of a classic Maupassant tale, using a deceptively simple object (or "McGuffin" as Hitchcock would say) almost as a ruse to snare the audience into a much deeper story. That's all I'll say about the plot, except that this is loosely a love story but with many complications and unexpected emotional conflicts that can hardly be described in a 500 word review so I won't even try. This is no simple girl-meets-boy story. It plays out like a Tolstoy epic.
For the last part of my review, I need to tie up & gag my inner film nerd because this is the kind of film that cinephiles will jabber on endlessly about. But it's not so artsy & esoteric that it would exclude casual movie audiences. Unlike classics such as "Citizen Kane" which often require you to watch documentaries, deep investigations & commentaries by film aficianados before you truly grasp its majesty, "Madame de" instantly hits us with gorgeous, memorable images and camera work that makes us realize we're in classy film territory. For example, pay attention to how active the camera is, effortlessly flowing around the actors, objects and scenery, showing us so many things that are happening at once. And yet there are no jarring edits and cuts to different cameras and angles; so much is done with just 1 camera. In this way, director Max Ophüls draws us into the drama as if we are silent observers sitting, or some cases dancing, in the same room. The sets are enormous and lavish, often with mirrors and windows showing us what's happening in other rooms, even though our attention is firmly focused on the principal drama in front of our eyes. My inner film nerd is frothing at the mouth so I'll just leave it there.
"Madame de..." is an amazing experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone. If you're new to classic art cinema, this would be a great place to start. Definitely check this out if you are a filmmaker, artist, writer, or if you're involved in any sort of entertainment, creative pursuits or performance (this film is so much like a choreographed dance--with the camera being the main dancer). This film is like a masterclass in everything.
So just watch it already. Hurry up, I'm about to untie my inner film nerd, and then you'll never hear the end of it.