Review CV - Lekce Faust

Review 105
Lesson Faust (1994)

It's been difficult finding films to watch lately. Maybe because the weather has been improving (somewhat) and I've been less willing to sit down and watch a film, but I've been slowing down for the month of May. Consequently, I haven't been able to review a film in a little while. However, while attempting to learn some German, I recalled the story of Faust and, consequently, remembered the ever-wonderful Jan Švankmajer had done a version, Lekce Faust, or Lesson Faust. I also haven't reviewed a Švankmajer film in a while (let's just say Alice was terrifying and Conspirators of Pleasure, even more so), so I think it was due time, mmm yes?

Our "Faust" of the story (Petr Čepek) exits the metro when he comes across two men distributing a map with a red marked spot. Ignoring it at first, "Faust" eventually gets curious enough to visit the spot after a supernatural event.

I can't even continue a synopsis because it's really hard to give a serious-sounding explanation of an empty egg inside bread causing a great gust of wind and suddenly our main character being played as if he were a puppet. It's Jan Švankmajer - what do you expect? If you know of the original Faust tale, it won't help much. I watched the film with someone who had seen the 1926 version of Faust, based on the original story from Goethe, and, while some parts were straight from the legend, it really did borrow from some other versions of the story, as well as just Švankmajer's imagination. But I guess you weren't expecting a copy of the Faustus legend since the movie is called Lesson Faust. There's some bit about it just being called Faust, but I like the official English title - it distances it from the original. And I wish I had known this prior to watching the film because I thought it was a version of Faust. Sigh. I guess with having watched Alice, I should have known better.

Now, while the film diverges from the original, that doesn't mean it is bad. Because it isn't. It's a typical Švankmajer film with such creativity I feel absolutely jealous that I don't have such an imagination. The way it goes from a normal plot to a crazy, surreal one is amazing. How "Faust" goes from being one of our characters of our movie to a character in a play being watched by an audience in the film is pretty ingenious. And it does it smoothly, even if it is odd. And really, this is what sells the film. The acting was nothing spectacular, but that's something in Švankmajer's films. You don't really watch it for the acting - you watch it for stop-motion, claymation, the surrealism. Honestly, usually I complain about surrealism because it serves no purpose and is just so cryptic that you don't even understand what's going on. But with Švankmajer's surrealism, you get it. You have to pay attention, but his meanings, his message, is obvious enough that it isn't like the white canvas with the three dots on it at the art show which could mean just about anything. His shorts are obvious in what they're conveying and instead of making you guess, give you the general idea and let you figure it out. And I am so for this, especially since Švankmajer does it so, so well.

Leske Faust is an interesting take on an old legend while combining it with modern life. It can be a bit slow at times and, while the acting is not the best, if you're into surrealism, definitely check it out. And if you haven't heard of Jan Švankmajer, watch a short from him and decide if it's for you. Happy watching!

Review LXI - Immortal Beloved

Review LXI
Immortal Beloved (1994)

I've been playing piano since I was three years old, so I think I can say that I have a bit more experience than most. This year, for my piano recital, I was performing a Beethoven piece. My piano teacher and I got on the subject of Beethoven's life when he mentioned that there was a Hollywood film about his life. He exclaimed, not verbatim, "It's no Amadeus, but it's good nonetheless!" I started watching the film a few months back when I wasn't too busy with school, but I fell asleep early on in the film. I decided to finally finish watching Immortal Beloved, directed by Bernard Rose, the same guy who did... Candyman?! I think that sums up the review, haha. Just kidding. Let's go!

The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven (Gary Oldman) is dead (Oh no!), but Beethoven's associate and secretary, Anton Schindler (Jeroen Krabbé), happens upon a letter to "Unsterbliche Geliebte", Immortal Beloved. This letter, written by Beethoven, leaves his entire estate to whoever this "Immortal Beloved" is. Schindler, thus, embarks on a journey to discover who this woman could be, revealing the major hardships the composer faced during his life.

The film is mostly accurate to Beethoven's life, or, at least, to what I've read about his life, aside from a few things. Then again, history is not always clear cut. Some things are up to speculation. For example, it has never been decided who Beethoven's Immortal Beloved really was. While most historians believe Josephine Brunsvik was the woman Beethoven cared for passionately, evidence leads to an inconclusive result. Still, if you're looking for a film that captures the essence of Beethoven and his life, this film seems to be pretty good in that aspect.

However, this film is definitely no Amadeus. I can't say it's a bad film, but it wasn't the most impressive, either. Still, I give it points for trying to depict Beethoven in a hot-tempered nature. Apparently he was angered easily and quite domineering, and the film was not afraid to show this. Unlike Lincoln which showed Abraham Lincoln in the most positive light, Immortal Beloved depicted Beethoven in a true fashion. I suppose we also have Gary Oldman to thank for that! At first, I wasn't so sure about the casting. I mean, they were showing Beethoven's promiscuous nature, and I wasn't sure I completely agreed with their choice to go with Gary Oldman. To be honest, I can't say I completely bought it, but his acting was not bad. He was able to get his nastiness across, but he still had his humble roots. Beethoven had a rough childhood, and Gary Oldman really demonstrated a hardened man as a consequence of this upbringing. Jeroen Krabbé was pretty good, as was Johanna ter Steege, Valeria Golino, and Isabella Rossellini. Nonettheless, while the acting was not bad, I still can't call this film that good. It was enjoyable, yes, but I doubt it'll leave a lasting impression. However, the scene where Beethoven lies his head on the piano was quite beautiful. Some of the cinematography was also quite beautiful, but overall, not the best film.

I'd give the film seven point eight stars on ten. I enjoyed it, but it isn't the best piece of cinema out there. Worth a watch if you want to establish a bit of a foundation on the history of Beethoven's life and if you enjoy a little romantic film, but again, nothing extraordinary.

Pirate Bay torrent

Review IV - Clerks

Review IV
Clerks (1994)

I watched Clerks many months ago, re-watched it again a week ago, and again last night. It's definitely become one of my favourite movies. It was directed and written by Kevin Smith, and it stars Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson as two best friends who work at a convenience store and a video store respectively.

Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) works at a convenience store - but not today. Today he has planned to sleep in and play a hockey game. Unfortunately, he's called in to replace someone who's sick. He agrees with the promise that the boss will be in at twelve. Things go downhill from there. Randall Graves (Jeff Anderson) is constantly pestering Dante instead of working at the video store like he should, customers are constantly bothering both of them, Dante's girlfriend is revealing maybe a bit too much information about her past, Dante's ex-girlfriend is getting married, and a bunch of other funny situations ensue, including Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) hanging out in front of the stores.

Unlike Jane Eyre, Clerks has fabulous writing but not the best acting. I would say the school plays I have been in have matched acting skills as most of the acting in this film. It really depends on the scene, but sometimes, dialogue is just delivered with such lack of emotion, and it obviously shows it was scripted. Still, I don't find it a major complaint because the dialogue that is written is really good. The scenes that come up are hilarious and original, and the "philosophical" (I can't think of a better word) views on people is really top notch. If you have to deal with people for your work on a daily basis, you can relate to this film. If you enjoy a bit of dark humour, you'll most probably like this film. I can't emphasize enough how well this film is written. Just go watch it! I also would like to warn you that this film is in black and white. I never had a problem with black and white films since I watch older films that were only ever shot in black and white, but some people have a problem with it. Trust me when I say you won't be begging for colour in this film. It's not like it emphasizes on colour ever, and honestly, don't make a black and white film stop you watching it. Many, many good films are in black and white, and this is one of them.

This is an extremely short review, but I honestly don't have much else to say about it. I'd give the film eight stars on ten. Like I said, the acting is really not that good, but the writing is superb, and the acting is not the worst either. If you're looking to be entertained, check it out. I've also watched both the version with the lost scene (funeral scene, for those who are wondering) and without it, and I prefer the one with the lost scene. It just adds an extra part of hilarity.

Pirate Bay torrent (with the lost scene!)