Quick Reviews - Summer Hours
After having seen my fair share of European movies, I have to comment that french movies are probably the most subjective of the lot. Which is a good reason why they draw such diverse (extreme even) reactions. Unlike Hollywood where the focus is on the bottom line, driven by the Dollars, Profitability, Marketability & Merchandising most French directors, like true artistes, are concerned only with the story and the characters who inhabit its frames. They set aside cost-revenue models outside the production house and leave the judging to the audiences.
Which is why for some Summer hours (L'Heure d'ete) will be seen as nothing more than a clinical detailing of death and its aftermath. But for me it shall remain a top class movie. Like those several other movies which seem infinitely better only cos I was fortunate to see it at the right time, at the right place where it would create the most impact. Movies such as Jerry Macguire, Signs, Meet Joe Black.
Why do we mourn when somebody dies? Why do we hold sacred their possessions? Why do we hold on to the memories of those who were dear to us? Are we afraid that by letting go of the possessions, we would lose all memory of their existence? How would I feel if I had to sell the house I grew up in? Its like a large part of my life will disappear.
The story for Summer Hours is quite simple. The matriarch of a family consisting of three adult children Frederic (Charles Berling), Jeremie (Jeremie Renier) and Adrienne (Juliette Binoche) dies shortly after her 75th birthday, leaving her considerable estate comprising a large house in the village, and several considerable assets - art collection, furniture and the valuable personal effects belonging to a great uncle who was a fairly well regarded French artist. The mother had spend most of her lifetime safeguarding the house and its assets given her closeness to her uncle.
The eldest, Frederic, shares his mom's devotion to the estate and wishes it remain within the family. I suppose, he hopes his children and grandchildren could also enjoy/experience the same idyllic childhood, all those summer hours, spent in the vast gardens of the house. But Jeremie and Adrienne don't share such idealistic notions. They have their own lives and plans, blossoming careers living abroad in China and NY respectively and they cant quite see the value in keeping the house. Despite the sense of loss they only wish to move on, trying to dispose off the house and its belongings as quickly as possible and use the cash to fortify their dreams.
Director Olivier Assayas unfolds the drama with minimal fuss and he never over-reaches or attempts to manipulate the audience into false sentimentality. And his approach is spot on. He presents the practical difficulties of idealism in a world of constant change. He presents the truth as it stands without embellishments. Where does idealism stand in the world of logical decisions?
I was able to relate most closely with Frederic's character. He holds on to the hope that by preserving the house, the paintings, the garden, he could not only hold on to the memories of his childhood but also preserve its integrity and pass it on to his kids. But there is a big generational gap as Assayas portrays in the final 15 minutes. The kids of today have their own definition of fun.
The movie is never heavy-handed or overly preachy. But uses wonderful subtlety to underscore many of the sad truths of life. Like how we have do not have the time for the elderly. No matter our good intentions and attempts to stay in touch and be there for them, we're too often caught up in our daily lives, our dreams and plans, that we forget.
Like how we attach precious memories with certain objects. And how those objects therefore hold more value to us than to others.
There is a scene in the movie which highlights this where Frederic and his wife see his mother's desk in a museum and it somehow doesn't feel right.
"It looks caged" he remarks
I wont go about describing my emotions in this scene. But it was very touching.
The movie also provides a side commentary on the decline of France with many of its citizens leaving the nation looking for opportunities elsewhere, thereby leading to an erosion of French tradition and culture.
And what about the house maid Eloise? She has spend a good portion of her life taking care of the house and its members? What ever will she do now.
And of course there is the curious case of Frederic's daughter who was caught doing weed and who exhibits rebellious behavior against her parents. Is she disappointed that the adults took the decision of selling the house without consulting the kids? I mean after all her grandmother had once told her lovingly that she would one day walk with her kids down the same garden she once played.
"But the house is now sold" the daughter tells her boyfriend matter-of-factly in the final scene of the movie.
Another hidden layer of truth. Beautiful. For those who can relate this is a deeply contemplative movie.
Nav
Which is why for some Summer hours (L'Heure d'ete) will be seen as nothing more than a clinical detailing of death and its aftermath. But for me it shall remain a top class movie. Like those several other movies which seem infinitely better only cos I was fortunate to see it at the right time, at the right place where it would create the most impact. Movies such as Jerry Macguire, Signs, Meet Joe Black.
Why do we mourn when somebody dies? Why do we hold sacred their possessions? Why do we hold on to the memories of those who were dear to us? Are we afraid that by letting go of the possessions, we would lose all memory of their existence? How would I feel if I had to sell the house I grew up in? Its like a large part of my life will disappear.
The story for Summer Hours is quite simple. The matriarch of a family consisting of three adult children Frederic (Charles Berling), Jeremie (Jeremie Renier) and Adrienne (Juliette Binoche) dies shortly after her 75th birthday, leaving her considerable estate comprising a large house in the village, and several considerable assets - art collection, furniture and the valuable personal effects belonging to a great uncle who was a fairly well regarded French artist. The mother had spend most of her lifetime safeguarding the house and its assets given her closeness to her uncle.
The eldest, Frederic, shares his mom's devotion to the estate and wishes it remain within the family. I suppose, he hopes his children and grandchildren could also enjoy/experience the same idyllic childhood, all those summer hours, spent in the vast gardens of the house. But Jeremie and Adrienne don't share such idealistic notions. They have their own lives and plans, blossoming careers living abroad in China and NY respectively and they cant quite see the value in keeping the house. Despite the sense of loss they only wish to move on, trying to dispose off the house and its belongings as quickly as possible and use the cash to fortify their dreams.
Director Olivier Assayas unfolds the drama with minimal fuss and he never over-reaches or attempts to manipulate the audience into false sentimentality. And his approach is spot on. He presents the practical difficulties of idealism in a world of constant change. He presents the truth as it stands without embellishments. Where does idealism stand in the world of logical decisions?
I was able to relate most closely with Frederic's character. He holds on to the hope that by preserving the house, the paintings, the garden, he could not only hold on to the memories of his childhood but also preserve its integrity and pass it on to his kids. But there is a big generational gap as Assayas portrays in the final 15 minutes. The kids of today have their own definition of fun.
The movie is never heavy-handed or overly preachy. But uses wonderful subtlety to underscore many of the sad truths of life. Like how we have do not have the time for the elderly. No matter our good intentions and attempts to stay in touch and be there for them, we're too often caught up in our daily lives, our dreams and plans, that we forget.
Like how we attach precious memories with certain objects. And how those objects therefore hold more value to us than to others.
There is a scene in the movie which highlights this where Frederic and his wife see his mother's desk in a museum and it somehow doesn't feel right.
"It looks caged" he remarks
I wont go about describing my emotions in this scene. But it was very touching.
The movie also provides a side commentary on the decline of France with many of its citizens leaving the nation looking for opportunities elsewhere, thereby leading to an erosion of French tradition and culture.
And what about the house maid Eloise? She has spend a good portion of her life taking care of the house and its members? What ever will she do now.
And of course there is the curious case of Frederic's daughter who was caught doing weed and who exhibits rebellious behavior against her parents. Is she disappointed that the adults took the decision of selling the house without consulting the kids? I mean after all her grandmother had once told her lovingly that she would one day walk with her kids down the same garden she once played.
"But the house is now sold" the daughter tells her boyfriend matter-of-factly in the final scene of the movie.
Another hidden layer of truth. Beautiful. For those who can relate this is a deeply contemplative movie.
Nav
Labels: Quick reviews, Summer Hours
posted by Nav at 2:49 PM
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