Thursday 19 April 2007

Les Amants réguliers (2005) - Philippe Garrel



There is another short clip from this film on youtube HERE

I'm not going to write much on this film, not much at all - i just felt i had to blog an entry on how, more than a film, Garrel's 180 minute mélange is an endurace test of the highest order. Seriously: people who make it through all three hours of this abysmal work in one sitting deserve some congratulations and - preferably - a medal.

Set in 1968 Paris it's really not clear what this film is actually about, who it's about, what they do, or why. Stuff happens - albeit sporadically - but as we never really get to know any of the characters it becomes impossible to care about any of the events occuring onscreen. I'm sure there are thick layers or visual metaphor and symbolism, and undoubtedly the film is filled with references to the nouvelle vague (even if the film's style itself seemed closer to Italian neo-realism) plus messages on the nature of artists and politics but for me it remains the embodiment of the arty, pretentious crap that puts so many people off foreig cinema.

There are many many better ways to spend three hours than watch the awful Regular Lovers.

My advice: watch Prima Della Rivoluzione or The Dreamers instead.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kind of a shame that you didn't like it--I loved it just as much The Dreamers, and feel no need to pick one or the other. I think it's a really nice counterpart to Bertolucci's film, and a rather masterful work of art.

Anyway, this is my first time here--I'm adding you to my links list.

-jesse (aka spinninginvertigo)

M said...

Reading my comments now i think i wrote them whilst still lumbering in full "resentment mode". Now, with a bit of time to reflect and having read a few glowing reviews of the film i can see more objectively there are elements that appeal to a large number of people. I'm not saying I'd watch it again in a hurry though (lol).

After seeing Garrel in a few films now, (The dreamers, Ma Mere and Les Amants Reguliers) i've not yet seen what i would consider a great [or for that matter, good] performance. He does "aimless drifting with a subtle sexual alure" quite well, but it seems so effortless that i can't actively like it. Maybe it's just a touch of resentment again (wish i looked that good on camera).

Anonymous said...

Αttractive сomponent to content. I juѕt stumbled upon уouг weblog and in accession capіtаl to
claim thаt I асquire actually loved аccount уour
ωeblog ρosts. Anyway Ӏ'll be subscribing on your feeds or even I success you get entry to constantly rapidly.

Also visit my blog ... meg

Unknown said...

longchamp, ray ban sunglasses, chanel handbags, nike air max, louis vuitton, replica watches, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton outlet, ugg boots, nike roshe run, tory burch outlet, ray ban sunglasses, air max, louis vuitton outlet, uggs on sale, longchamp pas cher, louboutin pas cher, kate spade outlet, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses, prada outlet, oakley sunglasses, longchamp outlet, gucci outlet, nike air max, nike free, oakley sunglasses, nike free, michael kors, tiffany jewelry, prada handbags, louboutin, polo ralph lauren outlet, christian louboutin outlet, ralph lauren pas cher, replica watches, polo ralph lauren outlet, nike outlet, louboutin shoes, louboutin outlet, sac longchamp, ugg boots, louis vuitton, air jordan pas cher, burberry, oakley sunglasses, jordan shoes, cheap oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, tiffany and co

Unknown said...

insanity workout, valentino shoes, vans, beats by dre, celine handbags, nike air max, mont blanc, nike roshe, ralph lauren, nike trainers, converse outlet, bottega veneta, giuseppe zanotti, ferragamo shoes, herve leger, asics running shoes, louboutin, vans shoes, longchamp, soccer shoes, mac cosmetics, jimmy choo shoes, new balance, hollister, soccer jerseys, hollister, p90x workout, lululemon, north face outlet, chi flat iron, wedding dresses, north face outlet, nike huarache, nike air max, hollister, gucci, oakley, iphone cases, birkin bag, timberland boots, baseball bats, reebok shoes, ray ban, abercrombie and fitch, ghd, mcm handbags, babyliss, nfl jerseys, instyler, converse

Unknown said...

moncler, canada goose outlet, canada goose outlet, swarovski crystal, thomas sabo, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry, wedding dresses, pandora jewelry, moncler, supra shoes, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, pandora charms, moncler, canada goose, swarovski, lancel, barbour jackets, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, moncler, moncler, moncler outlet, canada goose uk, karen millen, moncler, barbour, canada goose, hollister, montre pas cher, marc jacobs, pandora charms, juicy couture outlet, toms shoes, moncler, replica watches, sac louis vuitton pas cher, bottes ugg, doudoune canada goose, juicy couture outlet, ugg boots uk, ugg pas cher, links of london, canada goose, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, canada goose, louis vuitton, coach outlet