tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post4929818200572429547..comments2024-03-15T04:08:16.172-04:00Comments on Only the Cinema: Don't Touch the Axe (The Duchess of Langeais)Ed Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-37237866283487785182008-02-28T17:05:00.000-05:002008-02-28T17:05:00.000-05:00I don't quite see the connection between Celine et...I don't quite see the connection between <I>Celine et Julie</I> and <I>Don't Touch the Axe</I><BR/><BR/>To my mind the easiest Rivette is his marvelous version of <I>Wutheruing Heights</I> --<I>Hurlevent</I>. It introduced Fabienne Babe and Lucas Belvaux as the doomed lovers and was visually inspired by the paintings of Balthus. A modern dress adaptation it was set in rural France between the DavidEhrensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016905507543736049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-88249657787482695602008-02-28T15:11:00.000-05:002008-02-28T15:11:00.000-05:00Thanks, Ed.Thanks, Ed.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18263230958297383590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-50063266753861176142008-02-28T14:41:00.000-05:002008-02-28T14:41:00.000-05:00Ah, so this was your first exposure to Rivette? Th...Ah, so this was your first exposure to Rivette? The idea of "accessible" Rivette is an odd one, but <I>History of Marie and Julien</I> might fit the bill -- it's a very charming ghost story/noir with Emmanuelle Beart at her sexiest. It's languidly paced, and not Rivette's most complex work by any means, but it might be a good choice for someone who didn't like the somewhat arch sensibility of Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-78698809112570280402008-02-28T13:55:00.000-05:002008-02-28T13:55:00.000-05:00Our ideas of delightful fun are different. I'm ope...Our ideas of delightful fun are different. I'm open to new approaches--I even hang with the uber-languid Bela Tarr--but this one put me off completely. Maybe you could recommend a more accessible way into his sensibility?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18263230958297383590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-89527937852080942872008-02-28T13:27:00.000-05:002008-02-28T13:27:00.000-05:00Marilyn - To my mind, the deconstruction of period...Marilyn - To my mind, the deconstruction of period-drama conventions is only one level at work in a film that is, really, quite complex. It's about human relationships viewed as games (which can have serious consequences), and also about playing with form itself in a multitude of ways. And it's just delightfully fun. Rivette's not for everyone, but you have to be open to the great joy he takes inEd Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-73411879643938968722008-02-28T11:06:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:06:00.000-05:00after a long scene of near-stasis, a character is ...<I>after a long scene of near-stasis, a character is right in the middle of completing the scene's first real movement or action (most often: leaving the room)</I><BR/><BR/>That's exactly what this film did to me. For me, exasperation can spill over into ridiculous humor, but I don't find the exercise useful. I trust your judgment that this film is a deconstruction of period-drama conventions, Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18263230958297383590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-76161186109376395302008-02-28T11:04:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:04:00.000-05:00A gem, this was a big hit in France (rare for Rive...A gem, this was a big hit in France (rare for Rivette) and it's easy to see why. Stateside critics are allergic to "costume films" and claim to be "bored" (ie. they can't follow the plot.) Back in the late 40's Ophuls wanted to film this story and Garbo was to be the lead. James Wong Howe even shot screen tests of the immortalm divinity. But they couldn't raise the money (!!!!!!) So Garbo went DavidEhrensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016905507543736049noreply@blogger.com