Film Review
In this film, an adaptation of the final volume of Marcel Proust's sixteen-volume
epic
À la récherche du temps perdu (aka:
In Remembrance
of Things Past), Chiliean director Raoul Ritz attempts the impossible by filming the
unfilmable. It is a valiant effort, but the result is only partially successful.
Visually, few would dispute that this film is a work of art. Throughout the film's
two and a half hour duration, the photography is consistently captivating. The director
creates an impression of timelessness and relentless fluidity which is in keeping with
the style of Proust's novel. The viewer has the sense that he is hand-in-hand
with Proust as he steps through his memories, accepting the surreal imagery as willingly
as recollections of real-life events. It is an intriguing promenade through the
distorted memories of a dying man, and a beautiful example of visual poetry.
On the other hand, as a piece of cinema, the film leaves a great deal to be desired.
Lacking structure, coherence or any form of logicality, it is very difficult to maintain
an interest in the unfolding events. The director plays the same game that Proust
plays in his novel. In his work, Proust presents the reader with a fragmented, semi-surreal,
and highly subjective series of images, which it is left to the reader to piece together
and ultimately construct the
whole as envisaged by the author. What Proust
sets out to do in 16 heavy tomes, Ruiz attempts in less than three hours of cinema, and
the director is not helped by the fact that cinema is a less absorbing medium than the
printed word. As a result, those that are most likely to appreciate the film are
those that are familiar with Proust's original work - but they would be denied
the satisfaction of resolving Proust's puzzle. Anyone not familiar with Proust's
novel is immediately disenfranchised. This explains why Proust's great work
has seldom been adapted for cinema, and, when it has, the result is almost always a disaster.
Fortunately, whilst not a total success, Ruiz's adaptation of Proust's novel
has the feel of a major cinematographic achievement. Although no character is developed
as fully as it should, adding to the film's lack of substance, there are some fine
acting performances. Although she is only on screen for about fifteen minutes, Catherine
Deneuve shines as the cool, seductive and manipulative socialite, whilst John Malkovitch
is entertaining as the stiff upper-lipped aristocrat salaciously eyeing up young men.
Watch out also for Emanuelle Béart, Vincent Pérez and Pascal Greggory, all
on fine form. This really is a star-studded cast - although it is doubtful
whether Ruiz actually gets the best out of his troupe of stars.
© James Travers 2000
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.
Next Raoul Ruiz film:
Combat d'amour en songe (2000)
Film Synopsis
As he lies on his death bed, attended by his maid, the writer Marcel Proust recounts his
life in a series of fragmented, inter-locking recollections. Past times are merged
and muddled as he encounters prominent figures from his life, whilst the writer tries
to discern some meaning from it all.
© James Travers
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.