Thursday, April 12, 2012

Livid (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)
Livid • Livide (2011)


Genre: Horror
Director: Director
Starring: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
Language: French
Duration: 88 min.
Rating: 7.5  

Summary:
Young caregiver in training Lucie and two friends decide to rob the house of former ballet instructor Deborah Jessel, a comatose bed ridden old woman who is rumored to be the owner of valuable treasure.



Livid is a film written and directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury. Known for their gruesome and highly regarded New French Extremity debut Inside. It premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

With huge, practically impossible expectations to fill, Bustillo and Maury return with a follow up that wisely doesn't attempt to outdo their first film, instead the pair take their twisted imaginations in a different, far more fantastical, and certainly visually impressive, but not always favorable new creative direction.

Livid • Livide (2011)

The scenario is not the most original of setups, in fact it's pretty standard horror film fare. It's Halloween night and a small group of young people, starring a largely unknown cast led by the lovely Chloé Coulloud, go to a secluded and ominous looking mansion with intentions to rob the place of an unknown treasure. Of course for our entertainment, their simple plan swiftly turns into a dark and bloody nightmare with no escape.

To the directors' credit, they are obviously massive horror fans themselves who have done their homework. The film is almost Tarantino-like with it's repurposing of countless bits and pieces from many well known horror films including their own previous work. Some are blatant and some more subtle, but they always manage to carefully walk the fine line between homage and rip-off, and it adds a fun little easter-egg hunt to play along with while watching.

Livid • Livide (2011)

The two most obvious inspirations for Livid are the dark gothic mood from classic Hammer films and the dreamlike supernatural terror of Dario Argento's best work. Bustillo and Maury combine these influences to come up with a truly gorgeous and bewildering film. Starting off with an impressive lengthy atmospheric buildup where the natural beauty of the coast of Brittany plays a prominent role. 

There's an abrupt change in tone midway through that feels a little clumsy, however once the action begins, it's one scene after another of genuinely weird and awesome creepiness. Images and events that never get as extreme as I expected, but they are really some of the most creatively amazing and terrifying horror moments in recent memory. 

Points off for using a couple of lazy jump scares; going with a cliched scenario; somewhat awkwardly shifting gears midway through; and most of all for not having enough of Béatrice Dalle. Otherwise, this is a wildly enjoyable sophomore effort that provides firm proof of Bustillo and Maury's talent.

Bonjour Tristesse

Livid • Livide (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)

Livid • Livide (2011)

7 comments:

FrontRoomCinema said...

Sounds cool, if a little too scary for me!!

d_4 said...

See, jump scares aren't my thing at all. Cheap scare, fades off way too quick and it's always expected. However, if those are deducted from the points and you still give it a 7.5, I'm looking forward to it.

Hoi-Ming Ng said...

You know, I'm in the mood for a horror right now.

The Reel Foto said...

too much gore for me.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

 Still waiting for you to follow through with your 'films you'd never see' series.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah, there are a couple of cheap moments, but the cool mythology and the overall atmosphere make up for it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Perfect timing then!

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