I got hold of this DVD because of its reputation as an unknown, recent, experimental French art film. It was certainly experimental although to avoid spoilers I shall not indicate how (or when). But the overall impact was rather disappointing. Maggie Cheung, playing herself, was just fantastic - serene and professional but increasingly absorbed in the odd role of "Irma Vep" (yes, it's an anagram). So much so that the role, or at least the black latex catsuit, takes over away from the set, and her scene as Irma in her hotel is one of the film's two highlights.
The basic premise - ageing film-maker (good performance by Jen-Pierre Leaud) making his tribute to the innocent days of early French silent cinema - is fascinating, and used as a vehicle for questioning where French cinema is going in the 1990s. This is brought out particularly well when Maggie is interviewed by a cynical French journalist. But somehow the sub-plots,revolving around the tensions between crew members, don't match or illuminate the central theme. So a film well worth seeing for the star performance by Maggie Cheung but ultimately an experiment that didn't quite come off - but you must stay with it till then end.
The basic premise - ageing film-maker (good performance by Jen-Pierre Leaud) making his tribute to the innocent days of early French silent cinema - is fascinating, and used as a vehicle for questioning where French cinema is going in the 1990s. This is brought out particularly well when Maggie is interviewed by a cynical French journalist. But somehow the sub-plots,revolving around the tensions between crew members, don't match or illuminate the central theme. So a film well worth seeing for the star performance by Maggie Cheung but ultimately an experiment that didn't quite come off - but you must stay with it till then end.