Loosely based on, or at least inspired by, the Tennessee Williams short story ''Desire and the Black Masseur, '' this noir et blanc film ineffectively attempts to delve into the darker corners of the human mind.
Currently making its New York theatrical debut here, ''Noir et Blanc'' will most likely turn off the art-house crowd, on the whole, with its lackluster treatment. But there are several quirky bits filled with what seems to be unintentional humor that at least keep things from becoming too intolerable.
The story revolves around Antoine (Francis Frappat), a painfully shy accountant, who lands a temporary job doing the books at a health club. The friendly owner, Mr. Roland (Mark Berman), insists that Antoine feel free to use the facilities. Admitting that he is actually a bit tense (stiff is more like it), he decides to indulge in a massage.
This marks thus begins the beginning of a relationship and a self-realization that changes his life forever. The black masseur, Dominique (Jacques Martial), is terse and unfriendly. Not a word is spoken during the first, long massage scene, but the transformation in Antoine is immediately apparent.
During subsequent sessions, the massages become more and more physical, resulting in bruises, scrapes and howls of pain. A strange bond has been formed between these two, yet barely do they speak. Antoine's girlfriend, Edith (Claire Rigolleir), notices the change in his personality, but he refuses to discuss it.
At work, the dumb but sweet secretary, Josy (Josephine Fresson), playfully tickles Antoine, and the usually timid accountant flies off into a humiliating rage.
Eventually, Antoine and Dominique are found out by Mr. Roland, who throws them out in disgust. Antoine requires surgery after his latest massage, and while in the hospital he and Dominique seal their bond.
The film then plods along in dark, disturbing fashion, culminating in a lurid and ludicrous act. What prevents it all from being a serious, important look at sadomasochism is its lack of credible development. Only in a two-minute speech from Antoine do we discover how he has finally come to know his ''real'' self, and how he now realizes how much he enjoys pain.
The speech itself contains some insightful thoughts on the subject at hand, but they are delivered too late in his life and much too late in the film.
Ultimately, watching ''Noir et Blanc'' is a somewhat painful experience in itself. It is an interesting topic, and Frappat plays Antoine intensely and subtly, yet aside from him no other character exceeds one-dimensionality. However, it is the unbearably long and repititious massage scenes that make this boring film's 80 minutes seem much longer.
The sadomasochistic nature of the film is never fully explored, leaving more questions than answers in its wake.
NOIR ET BLANC
Greycat Films
Director-writer Claire Devers
Editors Fabienne Alvarez, Yves Sarda
Art director Anne Isabelle Estrada
Sound Pierre Donnadieu
Black and white
In French, with subtitles
Cast:
Antoine Francis Frappat
Dominique Jacques Martial
Josy Josephine Fresson
Edith Claire Rigolleir
Cleaning WomanCatherine Belkodja
Running time -- 80 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Currently making its New York theatrical debut here, ''Noir et Blanc'' will most likely turn off the art-house crowd, on the whole, with its lackluster treatment. But there are several quirky bits filled with what seems to be unintentional humor that at least keep things from becoming too intolerable.
The story revolves around Antoine (Francis Frappat), a painfully shy accountant, who lands a temporary job doing the books at a health club. The friendly owner, Mr. Roland (Mark Berman), insists that Antoine feel free to use the facilities. Admitting that he is actually a bit tense (stiff is more like it), he decides to indulge in a massage.
This marks thus begins the beginning of a relationship and a self-realization that changes his life forever. The black masseur, Dominique (Jacques Martial), is terse and unfriendly. Not a word is spoken during the first, long massage scene, but the transformation in Antoine is immediately apparent.
During subsequent sessions, the massages become more and more physical, resulting in bruises, scrapes and howls of pain. A strange bond has been formed between these two, yet barely do they speak. Antoine's girlfriend, Edith (Claire Rigolleir), notices the change in his personality, but he refuses to discuss it.
At work, the dumb but sweet secretary, Josy (Josephine Fresson), playfully tickles Antoine, and the usually timid accountant flies off into a humiliating rage.
Eventually, Antoine and Dominique are found out by Mr. Roland, who throws them out in disgust. Antoine requires surgery after his latest massage, and while in the hospital he and Dominique seal their bond.
The film then plods along in dark, disturbing fashion, culminating in a lurid and ludicrous act. What prevents it all from being a serious, important look at sadomasochism is its lack of credible development. Only in a two-minute speech from Antoine do we discover how he has finally come to know his ''real'' self, and how he now realizes how much he enjoys pain.
The speech itself contains some insightful thoughts on the subject at hand, but they are delivered too late in his life and much too late in the film.
Ultimately, watching ''Noir et Blanc'' is a somewhat painful experience in itself. It is an interesting topic, and Frappat plays Antoine intensely and subtly, yet aside from him no other character exceeds one-dimensionality. However, it is the unbearably long and repititious massage scenes that make this boring film's 80 minutes seem much longer.
The sadomasochistic nature of the film is never fully explored, leaving more questions than answers in its wake.
NOIR ET BLANC
Greycat Films
Director-writer Claire Devers
Editors Fabienne Alvarez, Yves Sarda
Art director Anne Isabelle Estrada
Sound Pierre Donnadieu
Black and white
In French, with subtitles
Cast:
Antoine Francis Frappat
Dominique Jacques Martial
Josy Josephine Fresson
Edith Claire Rigolleir
Cleaning WomanCatherine Belkodja
Running time -- 80 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 5/30/1991
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.