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Reviews
Bashu, gharibeye koochak (1989)
Unlikely Gem
This movie is about as far from Hollywood as you can get, and about as close to real life, even though what little dialog there is is in obscure languages, and it's set in an unfamiliar, timeless and almost pre-historic world. There's lots of intimate tension and even drama, but nothing overblown or forced. The ending is wonderful. A gentle masterpiece.
Phantom Thread (2017)
Warning: Not Suitable for Americans
Most people will have difficulty relating to this movie, even though it's scattered with brilliancies, the atmosphere is intense but restrained, the actors are uniformly superb (especially Manville), and the theme (the selfishness of genius) is cleverly presented. It's usually difficult to show geniuses at work, because everything happens inside the head. But with a master couturier, once can see much of the sumptuous work in process. Probably to enjoy this film you have to be an anglophile, an aesthete and an interior decorator. I found the mushroom element of the plot ridiculous, and the music, though clever, derivative and intrusive. Nevertheless, I enjoyed every subtle minute.