Thursday, May 10, 2012

Chicken with Plums (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)
Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Director: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Maria de Medeiros, Golshifteh Farahani, Eric Caravaca, Chiara Mastroianni
Language: French, English
Duration: 93 min.
Rating: 7.0
Summary:
Teheran, 1958. Since his beloved violin was broken, Nasser Ali Khan, one of the most renowned musicians of his day, has lost all taste for life. Finding no instrument worthy of replacing it, he decides to confine himself to bed to await death.
Chicken with Plums is a film by writing and directing duo Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, best known for their 2007 Oscar nominated animated film Persepolis. It premiered in competition at the 2011 Venice Film Festival.

Once again displaying great storytelling abilities in adapting a graphic novel into film, the pair deliver a moving live-action fantasy drama garnished with a liberal sprinkling of animated flair. In a story set in 1950s Tehran of the last days of Nasser Ali (Mathieu Amalric), the most talented violinist of his time, who decides to end his life after his beloved and irreplaceable instrument is destroyed.

The film is presented through a series of anecdotal flashbacks and flashforwards, narrated by an all knowing voice with a gentle humor that almost brings to mind Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie. I had a couple problems with the story itself: the main character is for the most part a very selfish fool who of course has his reasons, but digs himself into too big of a hole throughout the film to ever be fully redeemed at the end; and there is one ridiculously heavy handed off-beat skit mocking America that is only funny because it's so cringe worthy. However, the actual storytelling is capable and captivating, Satrapi and Paronnaud certainly have a remarkable skill for weaving the moments of the past, present, and future in an elegant way that holds the film together very well.

Another aspect done well is the overall visual look of the film. Every scene is shot from interesting angles and perspectives, and filled in magnificently with precise colors and expertly manipulated light and shadow, aided by the aforementioned animated flourishes which faithfully evoke the story's graphic novel origins.

The acting is also solid. Despite not being able to warm up to his character, I was impressed with Amalric who always seems to deliver a stirring performance and in no way can he be faulted here. The supporting cast of quirky characters are quite enjoyable to watch, with Jamel Debbouze in two hilarious side roles, Maria de Medeiros (who most will recognize from Pulp Fiction) as Nasser Ali's long suffering wife Faringuisse, and one unforgettable scene featuring eternal beauty Isabella Rossellini slicing up a watermelon in anger.

A strong follow-up to Persepolis, and a promising evolution into live-action, it's unquestionably beautiful to look at and at times laugh out loud funny, but in the end Chicken with Plums doesn't quite serve up the intended emotional impact.
Bonjour Tristesse
Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

Chicken with Plums • Poulet aux prunes (2011)

14 comments:

FrontRoomCinema said...

Sounds like something I would like to see! Thanks BT

The Angry Lurker said...

Thanks for the honesty!

The Reel Foto said...

beautiful trailer, but weird title..

Lisa Thatcher said...

I love the look of this and your great review has made me want to see it. I adore Maria de Medeiros who played Anais Nin in Henry and June in probably the most underrated performance ever... and just the colour alone looks like it is worth the journey.
ANOTHER one for the list!

d_4 said...

It sounds like it could be fun if you expect nothing from it but a decent watch. The story has its faults, so I think I'll be expecting nothing too amazing when I do watch it.

CastorTroy said...

I'm always amazed by how you find these totally obscure yet soild/good/great movies. This sounds really intriguing and Almaric was nothing short of masterful in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yep I think this is one you would enjoy. Good to have you back!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks for reading!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah it is kind of strange but the title makes sense after you watch it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

It is a very pretty film, and those screens don't really do it justice either.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah I think if my expectations were lower I might have given this a higher score. It really is a nice little film that I could see myself watching again and having a different impression.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thank you CT, I agree with you about Amalric in that film, amazing stuff; and I do see a fair amount of average/poor/awful movies too, I just don't have the motivation to write about those very often if ever.

365 moviesandsongs365 said...

I enjoyed Persepolis the graphic novel by the same writer, but the animated adaptation was too fast-paced for me(I thought they tried to cram in too much from the book). Anyhow, it still got oscar-nom.


I don't know a lot about this new film,it's probably worth a look on dvd. Love the poster you shared

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I haven't read the graphic novel so can't compare the two, but I agree that is a lovely poster.

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