19 reviews
Eva Green made 'D'après une histoire vraie' captivating. Her performance is beyond art. She has insanely captivating energy as Elle. Eva brings tension, alertness, and suspense on screen. She'll own you if you watch this. Other than that, the movie is solid average. It has that unique emotion that follows you from the beginning to the end. Actors played great roles, considering the part mentioned above, because the plot has gaps.
Writers block ... different edition. But again one, that you may have seen before or even if not, the mood of the movie seems to give away where this is heading. At least generally. If it were all smooth sailing, you wouldn't have a real movie. You need conflict in there, you need something that grips you and the characters in the movie.
Hopefully the right way and the suspension must work too. In this case there are cliches and you may shake your head on how gullyble the main character seems to be. You may very well be annoyed by her behaviour. If that is the case, you may not really enjoy what is coming. But there are things to discover and it still works as mystery thriller. It may not be Polanskis best (or anyone elses), but it's more than decent
Hopefully the right way and the suspension must work too. In this case there are cliches and you may shake your head on how gullyble the main character seems to be. You may very well be annoyed by her behaviour. If that is the case, you may not really enjoy what is coming. But there are things to discover and it still works as mystery thriller. It may not be Polanskis best (or anyone elses), but it's more than decent
Everything in movie was predictable, except one moment - which happened to be - unfinished in dead end street.
- Scenario is lacking the deeper dialogs - because everything seems rushed - and shallow.
- Then suddenly - the story began to look like the "Misery" - with locked hardly movable Delphine, with her injured leg - completely depend - of her younger "new friend" - in village house - with no people around - The "Misery" crawl out completely when Delphine ended up in bed, poisoned, and helpless, refused to surrender to her bully.
- So the movie was not so original, and Misery was far better in creating story tense.
- Actually the Misery part, should be the best one, but it came on 3/4 of the movie, probably seeing by Polanski as "peak" in story telling but it was to fast out - and leaved flat, leading imediately to end of the movie.
- It's kind of shame - because the story could be less predictable, and be better filmed and screenplayed.
- Scenario is lacking the deeper dialogs - because everything seems rushed - and shallow.
- Then suddenly - the story began to look like the "Misery" - with locked hardly movable Delphine, with her injured leg - completely depend - of her younger "new friend" - in village house - with no people around - The "Misery" crawl out completely when Delphine ended up in bed, poisoned, and helpless, refused to surrender to her bully.
- So the movie was not so original, and Misery was far better in creating story tense.
- Actually the Misery part, should be the best one, but it came on 3/4 of the movie, probably seeing by Polanski as "peak" in story telling but it was to fast out - and leaved flat, leading imediately to end of the movie.
- It's kind of shame - because the story could be less predictable, and be better filmed and screenplayed.
- maxmagnus-70271
- Oct 17, 2021
- Permalink
- Horst_In_Translation
- May 17, 2018
- Permalink
- uridinur-99749
- Sep 14, 2018
- Permalink
Directing: 7
/Acting: 7
/Story: 7
/Production values: 7
/Suspence - Thriller level: 7
/Action: 0
/Mystery - unknown: 7
/Romance level: 3
/Comedy elements: 0
- John-564-342449
- Jun 4, 2018
- Permalink
After a tremendous success of her debut autobiographical novel dedicated to her late mother , writer Delphine Dayrieux (Emmanuelle Seigner) goes through a tough and difficult period. After the release of her latest book , as she gets involved with an obstinate admirer , Ella (Eva Green) . The lonely and unsuspecting Parisian author , realises that there are cold and unrelenting haters among a sea of worshippers . On the other hand , step by step , Elle intrudes clandestinely into the life of the tormented and tired writer . Elle attempts to break Delphine's persistent block. Little by little , Elle becomes designingly essential to Delphine. Worse still , Elle turns into fury when she reads her projected new novel.....
This is an attractive story in short budget about the classic confrontation between two stars , with ordinay battle of wills . None of it is exactly unpredictable , but director Roman Polanski does it well within its limitations and gettting well-observed portraits from Emmanuelle Seigner as writer Delphine Dayrieux and Eva Green as her obsessed fan Elle . Concerning the already seen plot of the elusive and alluringly enigmatic woman , Elle , who is bent on helping Delphine , a blocked writer with her illusions and own inner demons . That's why the film sounds quite like ¨Misery¨by Rob Reiner and ¨The Ghost Writer¨ by director Polanski himself . Starring duo are pretty good . In fact , in my opinion Eva Green gives a better acting - as the passionate admirer, and cryptic new friend- than Polanski's wife , Emmanuelle Seigner . Being Roman Polanski's fifth collaboration with Emmanuelle Seigner . However , the film is slow-moving and really dull , until the final part in which tension , suspense and thriller enhances , getting success enough.
It displays a colorful and adequate cinematography by cameraman Pawel Edelman , Polanski's regular . This is Roman Polanski's sixth feature film collaboration with cinematographer Pawel Edelman . As well as evocative and exciting musical score by French composer Alexandre Desplat . The motion picture was co-written and professionally directed by the Polish Roman Polanski . Polanski's cinematic trajectory is hard , problematic and full of incidents. In 1968, Polanski went to Hollywood, where he made the psychological thriller, Rosemary's Baby (1968). However, after the brutal murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by the Manson Family in 1969, the director decided to return to Europe. In 1974, he again made a US release - it was Chinatown (1974) . It seemed the beginning of a promising Hollywood career, but after his conviction for the sodomy of a 13-year old girl, Polanski fled from he USA to avoid prison. After Tess (1979), which was awarded several Oscars and Cesars, his works in 1980s and 1990s became intermittent and rarely approached the caliber of his earlier films. In 1992 made Bitter Moon , but it doesn't succeed as the erotic drama it's intented to be and including some ludicrous lines from what must be Polanski's worst movie . It wasn't until The pianist (2002) that Polanski came back to full form. His career is full of hits and some flops , such as : his big success Rosemary's Baby , Chinatown, The pianist , Oliver Twist , Frantic, Dance of vampire , among others . And The Ghost Writer (2010) in which Polanski was arrested September 2009 in Switzerland, post-production was never put on hold , he then oversaw every step of the film and made all of the artistic decisions. He finished editing the movie while in a Swiss prison and in December 2009, Roman was released on bail but placed under house arrest . And later Polanski made Carnage (2011) , Venus in furs (2013) , J'accuse (2019) and this D'après une histoire vraie (2017) or Based on a True Story (World-wide, English title) whose rating is 6/10 .
This is an attractive story in short budget about the classic confrontation between two stars , with ordinay battle of wills . None of it is exactly unpredictable , but director Roman Polanski does it well within its limitations and gettting well-observed portraits from Emmanuelle Seigner as writer Delphine Dayrieux and Eva Green as her obsessed fan Elle . Concerning the already seen plot of the elusive and alluringly enigmatic woman , Elle , who is bent on helping Delphine , a blocked writer with her illusions and own inner demons . That's why the film sounds quite like ¨Misery¨by Rob Reiner and ¨The Ghost Writer¨ by director Polanski himself . Starring duo are pretty good . In fact , in my opinion Eva Green gives a better acting - as the passionate admirer, and cryptic new friend- than Polanski's wife , Emmanuelle Seigner . Being Roman Polanski's fifth collaboration with Emmanuelle Seigner . However , the film is slow-moving and really dull , until the final part in which tension , suspense and thriller enhances , getting success enough.
It displays a colorful and adequate cinematography by cameraman Pawel Edelman , Polanski's regular . This is Roman Polanski's sixth feature film collaboration with cinematographer Pawel Edelman . As well as evocative and exciting musical score by French composer Alexandre Desplat . The motion picture was co-written and professionally directed by the Polish Roman Polanski . Polanski's cinematic trajectory is hard , problematic and full of incidents. In 1968, Polanski went to Hollywood, where he made the psychological thriller, Rosemary's Baby (1968). However, after the brutal murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by the Manson Family in 1969, the director decided to return to Europe. In 1974, he again made a US release - it was Chinatown (1974) . It seemed the beginning of a promising Hollywood career, but after his conviction for the sodomy of a 13-year old girl, Polanski fled from he USA to avoid prison. After Tess (1979), which was awarded several Oscars and Cesars, his works in 1980s and 1990s became intermittent and rarely approached the caliber of his earlier films. In 1992 made Bitter Moon , but it doesn't succeed as the erotic drama it's intented to be and including some ludicrous lines from what must be Polanski's worst movie . It wasn't until The pianist (2002) that Polanski came back to full form. His career is full of hits and some flops , such as : his big success Rosemary's Baby , Chinatown, The pianist , Oliver Twist , Frantic, Dance of vampire , among others . And The Ghost Writer (2010) in which Polanski was arrested September 2009 in Switzerland, post-production was never put on hold , he then oversaw every step of the film and made all of the artistic decisions. He finished editing the movie while in a Swiss prison and in December 2009, Roman was released on bail but placed under house arrest . And later Polanski made Carnage (2011) , Venus in furs (2013) , J'accuse (2019) and this D'après une histoire vraie (2017) or Based on a True Story (World-wide, English title) whose rating is 6/10 .
I saw this movie without knowing what it was, just intrigued by the summary. I was really disappointed. The dialogues sound really bad, like a badly dubbed movie (I saw it in French, the original language). All the sound of the movies sound fake. Anyway, I was intrigued to see where it would go. It goes nowhere. We understand as soon as she appears who is the bad guy, and she is.
At the end of the movie I understood this was directed by Polanski. I was shocked! The actors are not bad, but the direction is. Really bad. Save two hours and see another movie.
At the end of the movie I understood this was directed by Polanski. I was shocked! The actors are not bad, but the direction is. Really bad. Save two hours and see another movie.
- funambuline
- Oct 23, 2019
- Permalink
His first traditional creeper since The Ninth Gate, the film is genuinely unnerving, boasting Polanski's trademark scares and sprinkled with just enough meta-storytelling elements to pique the intellect.
Emmanuelle Seigner, often Polanski's muse, to mixed results, shines differently here. Instead of playing the femme fatale, she channels the essence of Peter Coyote's character from Bitter Moon. Drenched in sweat, reactive and constantly piecing together the puzzle, she offers a fresh on-screen exploration, showcasing the dynamic director-actor partnership they share.
"Based on a True Story" is a delightful flirtation with meta-storytelling elements. Although it doesn't delve deep into fiction versus reality or authorship complexities, it stands as an homage to films that do. Seigner's portrayal of a writer becomes Polanski's medium to tip his hat to the films that traverse the ambiguous boundaries between life and art. The narrative is like a scenic tour of meta-cinematic themes. It feels familiar yet offers a refreshed perspective, akin to revisiting known terrains with a new lens.
Interestingly, while Polanski's style has inspired many, including Darren Aronofsky, shades of Aronofsky's influence are palpable in this piece. Artistic inspirations often come full circle.
The film evokes memories of classics like Misery, and the co-dependent merging reminiscent of Persona. It's not merely a thriller; it's an exercise in "thriller". Every character, even the background ones, are meticulously cast and memorable, elevating the movie-watching experience.
However, there are unexplored territories, especially the ending which left me anticipating a specific revelation. It's a familiar tune but rendered beautifully.
Emmanuelle Seigner, often Polanski's muse, to mixed results, shines differently here. Instead of playing the femme fatale, she channels the essence of Peter Coyote's character from Bitter Moon. Drenched in sweat, reactive and constantly piecing together the puzzle, she offers a fresh on-screen exploration, showcasing the dynamic director-actor partnership they share.
"Based on a True Story" is a delightful flirtation with meta-storytelling elements. Although it doesn't delve deep into fiction versus reality or authorship complexities, it stands as an homage to films that do. Seigner's portrayal of a writer becomes Polanski's medium to tip his hat to the films that traverse the ambiguous boundaries between life and art. The narrative is like a scenic tour of meta-cinematic themes. It feels familiar yet offers a refreshed perspective, akin to revisiting known terrains with a new lens.
Interestingly, while Polanski's style has inspired many, including Darren Aronofsky, shades of Aronofsky's influence are palpable in this piece. Artistic inspirations often come full circle.
The film evokes memories of classics like Misery, and the co-dependent merging reminiscent of Persona. It's not merely a thriller; it's an exercise in "thriller". Every character, even the background ones, are meticulously cast and memorable, elevating the movie-watching experience.
However, there are unexplored territories, especially the ending which left me anticipating a specific revelation. It's a familiar tune but rendered beautifully.
- ReadingFilm
- Sep 9, 2023
- Permalink
Sorry Mr. Polanski, but we've seen this movie before, many times. It's predictable and just as a few others. Nothing new here. Sadly. I watched it since it had your name on it...
- tommsivertsen
- Jun 6, 2020
- Permalink
Although i am an admirer of both the main actress and the director, this movie was extremely underwhelming for me. It's a psychological thriller/drama of sorts, yet there is no sense of urgency to it and the story is somewhat uninvolving, as no particular emotional connection with the characters is established. We never see what exactly is so bewitching about the character of Delphine - she's a bipolar flat line for most of the movie. The plotting is scattershot and somewhat random; the scenery and the cinematography are typical of a French movie of this kind, although a little too much grey/colorless; the performances are nothing special.
Even if one embraces a metaphorical/hallucinatory reading of the film - for which there are many great arguments - it doesn't make it much more interesting.
A basket full of missed opportunities; wouldn't recommend.
Even if one embraces a metaphorical/hallucinatory reading of the film - for which there are many great arguments - it doesn't make it much more interesting.
A basket full of missed opportunities; wouldn't recommend.
- mravawishes
- Jul 30, 2023
- Permalink
Roman Polanski's one of the best movies. Thrilling 1.5 hrs approx. Eva Green was stunning. Seigner showed her aged beauty and experimented a new role for her. Thus duo was out of the box and in a word- Fabulous!!
You get the impression that people no longer know how to see a film and what it says. Not only is the rhythm similar to Polanski's previous films, but it develops a disturbing relationship between a novelist and herself and the whole with her audience. The film criticizes the novelists who play on the autofiction and the public of social networks in the narcissistic relationship that all this little world maintains with itself. The theme of the double is at the center of the film and Polanski had wanted to adapt Dostoeivski's Double. Polanski hasn't changed, it's the public that has become more ignorant in general.
Although Polanski made his outstanding movies so far, this one is remarkable as the one before, La Vénus à la fourrure. Based on only two characters, the story reveals psychological movements in human behaviour, with one who is opened and unsecure and the other, who is actually dictating everything, in disguise, towards the goal it wants to achieve. Eva Green and Emmanuelle Seigner are really good pair and great match for this plot. Reccomendation for all of the Polanski's lovers.
- maricadrugarica
- Jun 14, 2018
- Permalink
The movie has some brilliant scenes, the camera angles and the color contrast is brilliant, the sound effects are awesome. The whole theme is dark.
I watched this movie in it's original language with subtitles in English, but still according to the situation in the movie the way the actors delivered there dialogues was not fitting, even when arguing, the actress which plays the author is very calm with her expressions and way of speaking.
Also the plot of the movie was a bit blur, it seemed that after watching it felt like I watched it through a blurry lens.
- manigarg0000
- Apr 26, 2020
- Permalink
Polanski as a history of movies which take a left hand turn right at the end. Rosemary Baby does, Bitter Moon does, The tenant REALLY does, and this one is no different.
I was entralled by the film, but somewhat let down by the ending.
Similarly, I love The Tenant. I've seen it like maybe 20 times and STILL don't understand the ending.
Same here. But only one viewing.
I was entralled by the film, but somewhat let down by the ending.
Similarly, I love The Tenant. I've seen it like maybe 20 times and STILL don't understand the ending.
Same here. But only one viewing.