Jackstone54 Reviews

Vivre ensemble (1973)

Her life to live

[10/10 · 3 February 2006]

This was Anna Karina's first attempt at writing and directing a movie. It's an admirable, courageous debut. Anna plays Julie Andersen, a free-spirited, hippi-esh girl. Michel Lancelot is the fuddy-duddy professor who bumps into her. They fall in love. Drawn into her world, he falls into drugs. The movie is a bit reminiscent of "A Star is Born" wherein one character descends as the other one ascends. Francois Truffaut reportedly praised this movie,a positive response from one of Anna's dear friends. Anna is enchanting. She also sings on the soundtrack, including tunes by Serge Gainsbourg. Anna later co-wrote the script of "Last Song" with husband No. 4 Dennis Berry. She is set to direct her 2nd movie this year in Montreal. I pray that a DVD version of "Vivre Ensemble" will be released soon.

Laughter in the Dark (1969)

Under-appreciated...worth a second look

[8/10 · 3 February 2006]

The movie version of Nabokov's pre-Lolita novel received mixed reviews when it was released in 1969. Among the movie's champions were Penelope Gilliatt of the New Yorker and Joseph Morgenstern, then writing for Newsweek. Richard Burton did not decline the male lead; he was fired at the start of the filming because of drunkeness. While his replacement, Nicol Williamson, was way too young for the part, Williamson gives an uncanny performance. He is matched by Anna Karina, who is excellent as the devious usherette who captivates him. This movie was one of her excursions into English-language cinema. "Laughter in the Dark" illustrates the phrase "Love is blind", both literally and figuratively. This movie should be made available on DVD and video, the better for movie lovers to admire its intelligence ,black humor and fine acting.

The Stranger (1967)

Stunning adaptation

[3 February 2006]

Luchino Visconti's sublime adaptation of Camus' "unfilmable" existentialist classic is all but forgotten. It's one of Visconti's best films, a searing, intelligent film. Marcello Mastroianni reportedly stepped into the role of Meurseult, which Visconti had earmarked for his protégé Alain Delon, who would have been too pretty to play the character. Mastroianni gives a masterful performance. As his mistress Maria Cardona, Anna Karina is stunning. She is especially moving in the courtroom scene. Giuseppe Rotunno's cinematography is peerless. Pauline Kael voted this as one of the top three films of 1967, after "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Chimes at Midnight". I hear that the reason why the movie isn't available on DVD or video is because of the rights. Hope this is rectified soon.

The Nun (1966)

Anna Karina est magnifique!!!

[10/10 · 3 February 2006]

When "The Nun" was released in the US in 1971, the movie generated a lot of positive reviews. Anna Karina's performance was unanimously hailed as a great one. Judith Crist of New York Magazine called it "unforgettable." Archer Winsten of the New York Post described it as "superb". Gene Shalit dubbed Anna as "exceptional" while Kathleen Carroll of the New York Daily News thus enthused: "Anna Karina gives a performance of unusual depth". Indeed, Anna's interpretation is one of her best in a career of over 70 movies. It ranks with her performances in "Vivre sa Vie", "Pierrot le Fou", "Rendezvous a Bray", "L'Alliance" and "L'Etranger". She was reunited with Rivette in the musical "Haut Bas Fragile". She is slated to direct her second movie this year in Montreal, a road movie with the composer Philippe Katerine.

Regina Roma (1983)

Disappointing

[22 January 2006]

"Regina Roma" is one of the last films starring Ava Gardner and Anthony Quinn. Alas, it proves a disappointment,a one-set drama of the old "kitchen sink" variety. Gardner plays the smothering mother of the late Ray Sharkey who brings home his fiancée,Regina, played by the legendary European actress Anna Karina. Gardner, Quinn and Sharkey mouth clichéd dialogues. Only Karina emerges unscathed because she is kept silent most of the time! And she has been de-glamourized, hiding her big beautiful blue eyes behind chunky frames and sheathing her splendid body in dowdy clothes. The movie seems padded out with flashbacks that don't match the main action.The DVD I bought lists (quite improbably) a famous orchestra conductor as the movie's producer.

Bread and Chocolate (1974)

Should be turned into a Broadway musical

[22 January 2006]

When this comedy came out in the 70's, it was aptly described as "Chaplinesque". The hero, a coarse Italian immigrant in Switzerland, is as much an Everyman as Chaplin's Tramp. The movie was a hit in the US, winning the NY Critics' Award for Best Foreign Film. Nino Manfredi is funny and touching as the earthy immigrant, the "bread" in the land of refinement ("chocolate"). Anna Karina is stunning as the Greek stowaway who shares some of the same predicament as Manfredi. The "chicken coop" sequence is particularly hilarious. I think this is one movie that deserves to be transformed into a Broadway musical. How about it, Mr. Sondheim?

Moi César, 10 ans 1/2, 1m39 (2003)

Charming

[22 January 2006]

"Moi Cesar" is a charming movie about the growing pains of a plump, insecure boy, wonderfully embodied by Jules Sitruk. He and his two best pals form a strong friendship that reaches its apex when they run off to London to look for Cesar's friend's British father. They are aided by Anna Karina in a rare role as an Auntie Mame-like character, a punk pub owner with a Tina Turner hairdo. It's a great cameo by the iconic actress. It's a pity that "Moi Cesar" hasn't been released commercially in the US. The movie can be as popular as "Amelie". Richard Berry, the French actor, directed this comedy and Luc Besson was among its producers. Josephine Berry, Richard's beautiful daughter, plays Cesar's love interest.