Wild Tales (Les nouveaux sauvages) **** (vo Spanish) A socially-conscious film from Argentina, Wild Tales/Relatos Salvages by Damian Szifron is a delicious, ferocious black comedy in several short stories – chilling and hypnotic in its analysis of revenge, social injustice and jealousy. It starts with a bizarre plane trip, free for all the passengers; another tale about a decent family man who has had enough of having his car towed away; then two men who end up in an uproarious road fury; and a huge wedding which goes terribly wrong….It’s all quite painful, yet hilarious in its daring honesty about the human character. Shown in Cannes last year, it deserves an Oscar for best foreign film. Truly unmissable!
(photos – Pathé films)
Wild **1/2 A girl who has lost her beloved mother to cancer and her husband, due to her own excesses, decides to get back her life and clear her head by going on a solitary trek across the Western United States. Reese Witherspoon produced the film and plays the real-life heroine of this 3-month-long exploit with a backpack that is almost as big as herself. Frankly I was exhausted before she even got started. But then I’m not the hiking, camping type. What saves the film is Witherspoon’s natural performance and the flashbacks that explain her life and deliver us from the gruelling journey.
(photos – Fox-Warner)
2 delightful French films (we are, after all, living in French-speaking Suisse Romande…), for laughs and nostalgia:
Une heure de tranquilité *** (vo French) This comedy from the trusty Patrice Leconte (Les Bronzés, A Promise, etc, etc.) is about the silly trials and tribulations of a man (Christian Clavier) who simply wants to sit down comfortably in his living room to enjoy a newly-acquired jazz album that he had been seeking for years. Just an hour of peace… Great fun and super comedic acting all around!
(photos – Frénétic)
Les Souvenirs *** (vo French) Sweet tale of a three generations in a loving but perturbed family (with Michel Blanc) due to a grandmother (Annie Cordy) who will not stand being put away in an old people’s home. Actor-turned-director Jean-Paul Rouve weaves a delicate and touching story that will have you smiling and teary-eyed in intervals. We need more such gentle films around.
(photos – Pathé films)
Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Germany and Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.
