You probably already know that Breathless (highly recommended) is charming and essential and a classic. A newly restored version is making the rounds right now and I caught it in Silver Spring this week. Presumably, this re-release was the catalyst for Dan Hoffman’s timely article on why Breathless resonates so much more than other Very Important Films. It does. Probably because Michel and Patricia’s stories are so deceptively simple. Yes, Michel is a cop killer on the loose in the big city, but he otherwise behaves just like your own goofball friends. Patricia has plenty of glamor, but she’s living in the believable squalor of an intern abroad working at a newspaper. Also, I always forget how amazing Martial Solal’s original score is.
…Now some long-overdue viewing notes:
- Greenberg = Fine. I’m catching up on publishing my film notes, and it’s been a couple of months. As always, I really want to like Ben Stiller. I just don’t remember Greenberg making much of an impression on me.
- La Dolce Vita = Highly recommended. Obviously.
- Exit Through the Giftshop = Highly recommended. A/K/A “the Banksy movie”. Highly entertaining play on documentary conventions with plenty of incredible footage and revealing things to say about the art world.
- Please Give = Highly recommended.
- The Man Who Would be King = Recommended.
- Carnal Knowledge = Highly recommended.
- Freakonomics = Fine. Silverdocs opening night selection strung together several short topics directed by documentary all-stars. Felt a bit like This American Life’s TV show to be perfectly honest.
- The Kids Grow Up = Recommended. Very much enjoyed Doug Block’s latest – a portrait of his own family as his daughter prepares to leave for college.
- Waiting for Superman = Highly recommended. Plenty to quibble with in the details of Davis Guggenheim’s education reform documentary, but his thesis that we’ve largely been doing things that make adults feel comfortable instead of doing things actually proven to help children learn is important. Will make a huge splash this fall.
- My Perestroika = Recommended.
- On Coal River = Fine.
- Utopia in Four Movements = Highly recommended. This is actually a film-performance hybrid. Deserving of a full post, but in the highly likely case that I don’t get around to it, please check Sam Green and Dave Cerf’s website for tour dates near you (San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, and Minneapolis are all coming up, so none of my four likely readers have any excuse for missing out).
- The Tillman Story = Recommended.
- Marwencol = Highly recommended. Google the plot summary to be astounded and then just let me tell you that it is all done skillfully and with respect for the subjects.
- Sleeper = Recommended. Especially outside in the neighborhood with friends and frozen yogurt and fresh fruit.
- I Am Love = Fine.
