Watch the trailer: http://videodetective.com/TitleDetails.aspx?publishedid=00004625
This French film won 1992's Oscar for Best Foreign Film and I saw it later on VHS. I liked it at the time and recommended to co-workers. Once they realized they had to read subtitles, they gave up watching it. Some people don't like foreign films for this reason but it's their loss in depriving themselves of good movies. I've had my eyes on the DVD at Borders and bought it when it went to half price. It has no English soundtrack but its visual splendor is fully revealed in the original widescreen format unlike the pinched pan & scan version on VHS. For one reason I enjoyed it more to appreciate the location filming in Vietnam and other countries. Another reason was the drama had more breathing room. This edition is the extended international cut of 160 minutes.
Indochine was a big budget production starring Catherine Deneuve as a plantation owner in French Indochina during the 1930's. The Communists are starting their rise to power that will eventually force out their colonial French masters. Her adopted Vietnamese daughter falls in love with a French naval officer who loves her mother. Things get very complicated as politics and soap opera ruin everyone's lives as theie country's old way of life is slowly evaporating beyond their control. Emotions run high as the trailer gives you a good idea of what to expect. If you want a complete scenario, read it after you watch the movie unless you don't want to be suprised : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochine_(film)
Some critics undervalued the movie as a star vehicle for Deneuve's wardrobe that overshadowed the glossy pageantry of domestic and political strife. This is unfair as repeated viewings reveal a balanced story. Of course Deneuve is usually chastised for her beauty but she has proven to be a good actress. She's one of France's national treasures and we should all look so good as her here or in any of her other movies. If you like long epics full of history, romance, and tragedy, this one is for you and don't let subtitles scare you away. If you need proof, read customer reviews on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Indochine-Catherine-Deneuve/dp/6305730997/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1243088209&sr=1-1
No comments:
Post a Comment