leather-7 Reviews

The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005)

Outstanding performance by Romain Duris

[10/10 · 12 August 2005]

Most reviews of this film will explain why this film is better than the original American film "Fingers." But instead of watching "The Beat that my Heart Skipped" to see a rare French remake of an American film, watch this film to see one of the most gripping acting performances of the last several years. Romain Duris, playing a very different character than he did in "L'Auberge espagnole," is absolutely phenomenal: he takes a role that could be (based on the plot summary) corny and sentimental and makes it gritty and believable.

While you're watching, notice all the unusual camera angles that highlight the general feeling of instability that the main character is experiencing.

Who knew that beating people up with frying pans and playing Bach could be so compatible?

Mondo (1995)

A solid adaptation of Le Clézio's short story

[9/10 · 9 August 2005]

Mondo is based on a short story by French author J.M.G. Le Clézio. The story is the first in a collection of stories about children. In each narrative a child is in some way alienated from the dominant culture while at the same time embodying something that this culture is missing.

In Gatlif's retelling, Mondo is alienated by the busy consumer society of Nice, France: he is always hiding from city officials who try to arrest him and he feels ill-at-ease in the bustling downtown area. He makes his home among the other marginalized Niçois: the homeless, foreigners, gypsies, etc. Gatlif artfully frames the life of Mondo and his friends and makes the viewer feel sympathy for society's rejects.

Gatlif shows how Mondo changes people who let him into their lives while demonstrating the blindness of government agencies that deal with stray children.

An excellent film. Even my children love it.