NYFF 2010: Tuesday, After Christmas and The Strange Case of Angelica
Tuesday After Christmas
Tuesday, After Christmas is the latest in the ongoing Romanian film revolution that has given us gems like 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and The Death of Mr. Lazarescu. This work by Radu Muntean is similar to those other Romanian masterpieces in style but not in effect. Like with the aforementioned films the camera tends to linger on people's faces and there are some long takes, sometimes painfully long. The issue of course is whether the take is being done right if its length is warranted.
The dinner scene in 4 Months is a perfect example of a very long take done right. The actress using nothing besides her facial expression takes us to that dinner table and we are sitting there with her, surrounded by these annoying people but truly alone. We are thinking about her friend and if she is okay. In this film there are no such scenes. It is a story of a man cheating on his wife with the family dentist. The plot is very matter of fact and the acting is quite realistic but the camera is not used in a way to improve the telling of the story. Tuesday, After Christmas is simply a "point and shoot" tale of a marriage that disintegrates due to a husband's lack of self control and desperation. There are no real flaws here but it nothing to make it stand out amongst a number of quality films at this festival.
2/5
The Strange Case of Angelica
Perhaps if I watch this movie again when I am a little older I will better appreciate the latest film from 101 year old director Manoel de Oliveira. Unfortunately watching this did absolutely nothing for me. Not only did the story make little to no sense but I was I did not find a single aspect of the film redeeming. Usually even if the plot is shaky I can at least appreciate the acting, direction or one of the below the line elements. Not here.
On a rainy night a photographer is asked by a wealthy family to come take photos if their recently deceased daughter. She does appear in accordance with her name (angelic) and even has a bit of a smile as she lays there. He is taken aback by her and even imagines her opening her eyes at him during one of the photos. The rest of the film is this photographer gradually losing his mind as he can't kick Angelica from his mind or conscious. He dreams about her night and day.
I have not seen any of this director's other films but I can imagine those who have enjoyed his work previously and have that acquired taste will appreciate this significantly more than I did. For me it will be a while before I consider seeing one of his past films.
1/5
