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amelielapointe
Reviews
Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (2019)
Retourne-toi
This movie reminded me of the basic principles of cinema, of what differentiates it from mere entertainment and makes it art.
It makes everything simple and immensely dense at once. What it does best - the beautiful landscape shots, the sensible dialogue, the nuance with every sigh, every whisper - it seems to do effortlessly. It often doesn't look rehearsed (I think Céline Sciamma even mentioned that she wanted the dialogue to seem improvised), it's filled with silences during which the characters look at each other, they truly look, as if the study prior to painting transcends into reality. At one point it becomes unclear whether Marianne is observing Héloïse because she has to or because she wants to. We see it all happen : slowly at first, and then without restraint, in a commotion. Something blooms in the characters' eyes.
There is an emotional movement in the film that is independent from any medium other than the image. There are no soaring strings to help elevate the emotion. It stays raw, and we can't help but live it with the characters as it is. We are never shielded from reality. Instead, we are forced to keep our feet firmly planted as every scene delightfully unfolds right in front of us. Music appears only twice, otherwise the music is the language, the sound of waves, the sound of breaths, the sound of paintbrush against canvas. The long takes are so steady and delicate, you might not even notice them until the cuts takes you by surprise (this shows how seldom they seem to occur). There is a sense of huis clos in the painting sequences, as if the characters cannot escape one another and, as a result, are almost forced into a slow duel of piercing gazes, biting remarks and heavy silence. Their love is left untamed and vainly restrained, and it soon begins to burn and crackle, and when it finally bursts out, it leaves no one unscathed : the result is a beautiful yet powerful phenomenon, like the waves that roll and crash around the island.
Céline pours such depth in everything she creates and there is so much to be said about this film... I hope she gets rightfully recognized for all she gives to the art of film.
The Handmaid's Tale: The Last Ceremony (2018)
This one completely wrecked me
Elisabeth Moss is otherworldly... I had never seen such heart-breaking, gut wrenching acting before in my life... I was so shocked and torn apart that I didn't even realise tears were streaming down my face and I'm not one to cry often during movies or shows. Watch it, witness the phenomenon. I applaud the whole crew behind this extraordinary episode.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
Appealing to all ages
Avatar : The last airbender is the best show I watched. Period. I am 14, and I still watch an episode here and then. The story is awesome, the fictional universe is incredibly well described... It's funny, cute and colorful, but there is a dramatic side that I really like. I think the best thing about this show is how original it is. Everything is there for a reason, it's explained so that we can know why and how. The elements are so damn awesome too. All the people that watched Avatar have a favorite element, I am sure. But the cool thing is all the elements are different and therefore we like each of them for a different reason. Oh and another thing : if you liked Avatar, I am sure you will like Legend of Korra. It's as good, but I would say it's a bit more dark.
Unité 9 (2012)
Just so realistic!
I remember watching the first episode and being like "wow, I feel like I am actually IN the prison with her..." This show is brutal and raw. You will see everything, all the emotion, the pain, the sadness... The writers won't omit a detail. All of a sudden, you will probably feel as though you are in the same situation as the characters. And I won't lie, it can be a bit painful to watch. There are some scenes were the acting is just so good it makes you wanna cry! I must mention Ève Landry's work. It's just phenomenal : this girl has a natural gift. Her character, Jeanne, is a troubled yet very likable woman. You get attached once you see her real personality behind her "walls". I think this show is for everyone, because every person can see a bit of herself/himself in the characters. There have flaws, and that's what is so beautiful about them. This is what makes them resemble real people so much. This is why you feel as though you have known them for many years. If you are fluent in french and the accent doesn't bother you, you can definitely watch this show. I recommend it!
Le coeur a ses raisons (2005)
I was practically DYING of laughter
This show is just SO good. I don't think I know a Quebecer who hasn't watched "Le Coeur a ses Raisons"... It's just a classic here in Quebec. Sadly, I don't think the show was translated in English... But if you are fluent in french (and the accent doesn't bother you), you can definitely watch it. I remember watching this show when I was 9 or 10 years old, and laughing so much it was painful. This show has a weird humor. It's absurd, and when I say absurd, it means ABSURD. Some things just don't make any sense, and that's what's funny about it. Like, for example, there are scenes where characters battle with toilet paper, or other scenes where they drink directly from a water hose. Also, I must mention Marc Labrèche's work, who plays Brett, Brad and Brenda (yes, he also plays a very ugly woman). This guy is just nuts. He could just look at you and make you laugh. His characters are as crazy as him, and they are a very big part of the show. The man is just awesome. Also, Anne Dorval is very cool too. If you don't know the name, she plays in the movie Mommy by Xavier Dolan, which I know is pretty popular... Very talented actress, and very funny too. She can do anything. Anyways, if you speak french and love comedies, this show is for you.