Three Good Movies in a Row

1. "Criminal" is a remake of "Nine Queens," which we saw almost exactly one year ago. The original was an Argentinian film; the remake was directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars the always-worth-watching John C. Reilly and hottie Diego Luna (from the forgettable "Y Tu Mama Tambien"), as well as Maggie Gyllenhaal. It's a who's-conning-whom story, which is a favorite genre in this house. We do like our grifters, big and small. I have to disagree with Roger Ebert, though, who felt that it followed the original so closely that it was a disappointment because he already knew what was going to happen ahead of time. I didn't mind one bit that I already knew the outcome; as with "The Sting," I enjoyed rewatching and trying to remember how the con is going to work and sometimes forgetting about a crucial plot twist. It's a very clever story, and well executed. If you haven't seen either, I guess I'd have to recommend "Criminal" only because you won't have the distraction of reading subtitles—unless of course you're a native Spanish speaker, in which case go for "Nine Queens." (I don't mind subtitles, but there's no denying that it's not the same experience as just listening.) And then see the other one, and decide whether you agree with me or Roger about whether it can be seen and enjoyed twice.

2. I've forgotten who, but someone is owed a big thanks from me for recommending "A Very Long Engagement" starring Audrey Tautou and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who did the positively adorable and delicious "Amelie," my first introduction to Tautou. As I've said, even watching her file her nails would be a pleasure for me, she is that enchanting. She doesn't disappoint in this one, either, although it's a completely different movie. It takes place during WWI, and although I mostly remember this as a gorgeous movie, there were some really horrific and gory war scenes. Nothing was sugar-coated, but at the same time I didn't really think of this as a "war movie." Tautou plays Mathilde, whose fiancé Manech has been reported killed in action. Mathilde believes he is still alive and sets out to find him, despite the eye-rolling disbelief of everyone around her. I have to once again cite Roger Ebert, who closes his rave review thus:

Whether Mathilde finds Manech is a question I should not answer, but reader, what do you think is the likelihood that an angel-faced girl with polio could spend an entire movie searching for her true love and not find him? Audiences would rip up their seats. The point is not whether she finds him, but how. Can Jeunet devise their reunion in a way that is not an anticlimax after such a glorious search? What can they do, Mathilde and Manech, and what can they say? Reader, the film's closing moments are so sad and happy that we know, yes, it has to end on just that perfect note, held and held and held.

Don't miss this one. Oh, and I forgot to mention, Jodie Foster of all people has a small role in this movie, and her French is impeccable. I was stunned.

3. Speaking of luscious and glorious, that was Reese Witherspoon in "Vanity Fair." And, while we're on the subject of accents, her British accent fooled me well enough that we were halfway through the movie before I remembered that she's Amuriken. This is a pure delight to watch, from start to finish. 

Comments

[Margaret]

Amelie is one of my all-time favorite films; I love Audrey Tautou. And I had heard that Jodie Foster speaks very good French.

[Karan]

I recommended A Very Long Engagement and I am thrilled that you liked it as much as I did. I want to own it.

[Risottogirl]

I saw A Very Long Engagement in Paris shortly after it was released. Although my French comprehension is quite good in live conversations or even listening to lectures and such, some movies are harder to catch everything. I'd like to see it again with subtitles. Although I do find that a lot is lost with subtitles too.

The French were marveling at Jodie Foster's lack of accent as well.