I’d heard of director Alain Resnais for years. Discussed as
one of the prominent directors of the French new wave movement of the sixties
and seventies his film HIROSHIMA MON AMOUR is talked about as one of the great
films of all times. The problem is in finding his films to watch. Unless you
can find a video rental store or library that will carry such titles you’re
left with spending an arm and a leg to purchase his films from someone like
amazon. To spend that much on something you aren’t sure you will enjoy makes it
less than likely to happen.
Fortunately I was able to get a copy of his last film, LIFE
OF REILLY, to watch. While it wasn’t intended as his last film, he passed away
shortly after it was finished. So finally I had my chance, a moment to sit back
and watch a film by an acclaimed master. In the end while I found the film
interesting it wasn’t really my cup of tea. My thoughts that there are far too
many critics and art film lovers who are pretentious when it comes to foreign
or art films wasn’t changed much by this film. While I could enjoy it, I also
couldn’t figure out why those who love these films hold them in such esteem
while slamming the works of more popular directors. To each his own.
The movie is basically a play put to film in unusual ways
that actually work. Based on the play written by Alan Ayckbourn, a playwright
that Resnais adored and collaborated with on more than on occasion, it tells
the story of three couples who are all a part of Riley’s life. We never see
Riley on screen but we come to know him through the tales of his friends.
As the film opens the first couple is rehearsing for a play
that they are involved in at a local theater. Kathryn is the wanna be actress
of the group who is certain she is the best thing there. Her husband Colin is a
doctor who has bad news. He referred their friend Riley to a specialist and
let’s slip to Kathryn that he has a disease with only months to live. Of course
being the gossip she is Kathryn immediately gets on the phone to tell her
friend Tamara.
Tamara is married to Jack. One of the three couples involved
in the story, Tamara is more often the not the lead in the plays this group
puts on. Jack is a successful businessman and Riley’s best friend who takes the
news harder than the rest. Jack is also a philanderer when it comes to his
marriage, something we get the idea his wife is aware of but does nothing
about. As Kathryn and Colin head over to rehearse with them we are carried off
to the last couple.
Here we have Monica, Riley’s wife and soon to be ex. Monica
has left Riley months prior and lives with Simeon, a farmer. With no interest
in Riley any longer she also finds herself trying to decide just what it is she
wants out of life. There are moments during the film when we wonder if she
truly loves Simeon and yet others when it is apparent that he provides her with
something that Riley never could or did.
The episodes of this film take place in the various gardens
of the homes that these couples live in. The fourth location for the action
that takes place is Riley’s home garden. And Riley? He is an unseen presence in
the film, always discussed and never in sight. Resnais uses an interesting
technique to get us from one location to the other, showing us filmed footage
taken from a moving vehicle out the front window that always ends at a painting
of the garden for each location.
He also makes the film more of a play by using stage sets
rather than actual film style sets. Rather than doorways and windows we are
presented with hanging canvases that are painted with slits in them allowing
the actors to come and go. Sets contain furniture to sit on and fake plants but
little more. The sets and cinematography are unimportant here. It is the interaction
between characters that is important.
The stories that unfold among these various friends’ makes
for an interesting film but in the end is it a fantastic piece that you won’t
soon forget? My guess is that it’s doubtful. It will offer and evening’s entertainment
but it’s not something that I myself would treasure and pull out to watch over
and over again. Does it make me anxious to see more films by Resnais to see how
well his earlier work stacks up to his last? Not particularly. Should they show
up on some cable station perhaps but this movie didn’t make me want to seek any
out after I finished watching it.
For those who are fans of the French new wave directors I
have little doubt you’ll want to pick this one up. For those who enjoy French
films in particular this one should satisfy. Those who hate subtitles will walk
by this one quickly (myself I have no problem with this and don’t understand
how people can hate a movie in its original language). If you’re wondering what
a movie like this would play out as then by all means this is a good jumping on
piece to watch. While it may be different it is also entertaining. In the end
it’s not bad but for most not something you’d seek out.
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