Writer/Director Olivier Assayas’ Clouds
of Sils Maria is, perhaps, the most thought-provoking film I’ve seen
this year; the kind of film that sticks in your mind for days after seeing it.
It’s the story of an actress, (superbly played
by Juliette Binoche), who, at age 40, is having trouble accepting the fact she
is playing the character of the “older woman” in the revival of the play that
launched her career at age 20, when she played the ingénue.
On a deeper level, the film examines the world
of celebrity, where the quality of talent and performance is overshadowed in
the tabloid/social media age of “starmeters” and who is supposedly “hot” and “trending.”
Kristen Stewart gives one of her best
performances to date as the au currant
personal assistant to Binoche’s character, representing both the new age and
the youthfulness the aging actress misses in herself.
The interplay of the two is captivating and insightful,
making this a must-see film for those looking for smart adult fare.
Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux’s images of
the Swiss Alps and the clouds “snaking” over Sils Maria as harbingers of storms
compliment the story and add to the reason for viewing this wonderful film.
I give Clouds of Sils Maria a 4.4 out of 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment