The concept of MANON ON THE ASPHALT the effect a woman's life had on those around her in the moment she dies, as seen by the nearly departed is slightly affected and literary, but the execution as visual and emotional little film. Of the five live action short Academy Award nominees, this is the only one that choked me up. Like AMELIE, Manon (we barely know her, actually) is a spritely Parisienne with a wide range of friends, neighbors and family, all of whom care about her. What's remarkable, of course, is that neither Manon nor those in her circle are "special" they are just like everyone else, as complex and human and quirky as anyone. The film taps into a universality of life with clarity and heart without becoming cloying. I can't imagine someone not nodding in acknowledgment or familiarity at many of the events and personalities. My vote for the Oscar.
3 Reviews
A very interesting and truly unique film
planktonrules8 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Today I went with three friends to a special showing of all the films nominated for the 2009 Oscar for Best Live Action Short. Oddly, the four of us were in pretty much agreement about the films. Our pick for best of the nominees was PIG ("Grisen"), though ON THE LINE ("Auf der Strecke") was a very good film and is nearly as deserving of the award. We predicted that TOYLAND ("Spielzeugland"), however, will win the award because it's the sort of the film the Academy tends to like AND because PIG might ruffle some feathers because it is not "politically correct". I'll update this review after the awards are given.
The title of MANON OF THE ASPHALT ("Manon sur le bitume") is perhaps a play on the famous French film MANON OF THE SPRING ("Manon des sources")--from a story written by the great Marcel Pagnol. While MANON OF THE ASPHALT really has nothing to do with this other story, I can't help but wonder if this is perhaps a homage to the great film.
MANON OF THE ASPHALT is a very simple story, but it also manages to do something practically unheard of in film--tell a story that is interesting and very unique. Rarely have I seen a film that is this unusual and creative.
Manon is shown riding her bicycle down French streets. Suddenly, she's hit by a car and as she is lying there on the pavement, unmoving, you get to hear her thoughts as she thinks what might be her final unspoken thoughts--her regrets, her memories and her hopes for tomorrow. The film is indeed sad and interestingly enough by the end of the film you really are not sure whether or not the lady survives (I assume she didn't, but it isn't clearly stated). Some might hate the ambiguity, but I just see it as exceptional film making.
Oscar-worthy, yes, but probably not this year's choice.
By the way, although perfectly acceptable given the story, there is some very brief scene in the film that shows a bit of skin. It's probably okay for almost all audiences and I certainly was not offended, but just be aware of this before you watch.
UPDATE: It's official, TOYLAND is the winner. This didn't surprise me at all and it was well deserving of the award, though I was still pulling for PIG to take the honors.
The title of MANON OF THE ASPHALT ("Manon sur le bitume") is perhaps a play on the famous French film MANON OF THE SPRING ("Manon des sources")--from a story written by the great Marcel Pagnol. While MANON OF THE ASPHALT really has nothing to do with this other story, I can't help but wonder if this is perhaps a homage to the great film.
MANON OF THE ASPHALT is a very simple story, but it also manages to do something practically unheard of in film--tell a story that is interesting and very unique. Rarely have I seen a film that is this unusual and creative.
Manon is shown riding her bicycle down French streets. Suddenly, she's hit by a car and as she is lying there on the pavement, unmoving, you get to hear her thoughts as she thinks what might be her final unspoken thoughts--her regrets, her memories and her hopes for tomorrow. The film is indeed sad and interestingly enough by the end of the film you really are not sure whether or not the lady survives (I assume she didn't, but it isn't clearly stated). Some might hate the ambiguity, but I just see it as exceptional film making.
Oscar-worthy, yes, but probably not this year's choice.
By the way, although perfectly acceptable given the story, there is some very brief scene in the film that shows a bit of skin. It's probably okay for almost all audiences and I certainly was not offended, but just be aware of this before you watch.
UPDATE: It's official, TOYLAND is the winner. This didn't surprise me at all and it was well deserving of the award, though I was still pulling for PIG to take the honors.
Remarkable Short
Michael_Elliott27 March 2010
Manon on the Asphalt (2007)
**** (out of 4)
Exceptional French film got an Oscar-nomination for Best Short. The movie shows a young woman riding her bike through the streets when she is hit by a car and lays dying in the street. In these brief moments before death she begins to think about her life, her friends, her boyfriend and what impact their lives had by knowing her. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this film even though I had heard some very good things about it. I must say I now have to see what else was nominated the year this lost the prize. I was really emotionally caught up with this thing and I was simply blown away at how beautiful, poetic and incredibly touching the film was. There's more power and emotion in this 15-minute film then pretty much any Hollywood film coming out around this time. For starters, the film gives a wonderful and touching view point of what one's final moments alive would be like. The way we flash from one flashback to another, the way we see our victim thinking about what people are going to think and how we hear her talk about things she wishes she had done were handled so well that I'm sure the film will leave on impact on those who watch it. Directors Marre and Pont do an excellent job at telling their story and they manage to milk just about every emotion that you could as it really hits its message and delivers a first-rate entertainment. The performances are wonderful, the screenplay right on the mark and we even get a great cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Going to Make Me Lonesome".
**** (out of 4)
Exceptional French film got an Oscar-nomination for Best Short. The movie shows a young woman riding her bike through the streets when she is hit by a car and lays dying in the street. In these brief moments before death she begins to think about her life, her friends, her boyfriend and what impact their lives had by knowing her. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this film even though I had heard some very good things about it. I must say I now have to see what else was nominated the year this lost the prize. I was really emotionally caught up with this thing and I was simply blown away at how beautiful, poetic and incredibly touching the film was. There's more power and emotion in this 15-minute film then pretty much any Hollywood film coming out around this time. For starters, the film gives a wonderful and touching view point of what one's final moments alive would be like. The way we flash from one flashback to another, the way we see our victim thinking about what people are going to think and how we hear her talk about things she wishes she had done were handled so well that I'm sure the film will leave on impact on those who watch it. Directors Marre and Pont do an excellent job at telling their story and they manage to milk just about every emotion that you could as it really hits its message and delivers a first-rate entertainment. The performances are wonderful, the screenplay right on the mark and we even get a great cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Going to Make Me Lonesome".
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