POLA X- a review please
12-08-02, 04:01 AM
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http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s198pola.html
I rented this from Netflix and watched it last weekend. DVD Savant's review is pretty much on the money. In other reviews the word "pretentious" comes up frequently and with good reason. However some of the images in a few scenes are stunningly beautiful, especially the first half-hour at the luxurious chateau where we observe the unusual relationships among four lead characters. When the mysterious Isabelle shows up we get some murky scenes that would be rejected for a Madacy DVD. Isabelle talks way too much, makes no sense, has a very annoying voice and is unattractive. Naturally, young and rich novelist Depardieu must follow her to the ends of the earth in search of the truth. A very dim and barely discernable hardcore sex scene is nothing - I watched in the daytime and would have missed it if I hadn't read reviews beforehand. Deneuve still looks nice in a bathtub scene although she is no longer the slender jeune fille of 35 years ago.
Nevertheless, I must admit Pola X is interesting enough to rent if you are accustomed to talky french films and don't mind scratching your head, furrowing your brow and going "what the...?" for a couple hours. I would even spend up to $4 for a used copy just to watch Deneuve.
I rented this from Netflix and watched it last weekend. DVD Savant's review is pretty much on the money. In other reviews the word "pretentious" comes up frequently and with good reason. However some of the images in a few scenes are stunningly beautiful, especially the first half-hour at the luxurious chateau where we observe the unusual relationships among four lead characters. When the mysterious Isabelle shows up we get some murky scenes that would be rejected for a Madacy DVD. Isabelle talks way too much, makes no sense, has a very annoying voice and is unattractive. Naturally, young and rich novelist Depardieu must follow her to the ends of the earth in search of the truth. A very dim and barely discernable hardcore sex scene is nothing - I watched in the daytime and would have missed it if I hadn't read reviews beforehand. Deneuve still looks nice in a bathtub scene although she is no longer the slender jeune fille of 35 years ago.
Nevertheless, I must admit Pola X is interesting enough to rent if you are accustomed to talky french films and don't mind scratching your head, furrowing your brow and going "what the...?" for a couple hours. I would even spend up to $4 for a used copy just to watch Deneuve.
Last edited by JamesBrian; 12-08-02 at 04:03 AM.
12-08-02, 11:05 AM
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Thank you so much JamesBrian......I almost gave up on this one as it seems that not a lot of people have seen it....
Can you confirm to me that the disc is anamorphic......(and if you would like to share something else that would be great as well).
Edit:
I just answered my question....thanks!!
Can you confirm to me that the disc is anamorphic......(and if you would like to share something else that would be great as well).
Edit:
I just answered my question....thanks!!
Last edited by pro-bassoonist; 12-08-02 at 11:08 AM.
12-08-02, 05:35 PM
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I didn't go into the music because I only heard it once. The soundtrack is by moody crooner Scott Walker, definitely an acquired taste, but I like Scott and now want to hear the score or watch the movie again and pay closer attention to the score. Sonic Youth is in there somewhere too. The second half of Pola X has numerous scenes of an avante-garde noise band playing in an abandoned train station - like the Blue Man Group with eurotrash instead of blue men - and a mysterious conductor who looks like a relative of Klaus Kinski. Hmmmm, because of the music I might look around for the OST or wait for a price drop.
12-10-02, 10:33 PM
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I enjoyed it okay, but not as much as Carax's MAUVAIS SANG and LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE. I think the lack of Denis Lavant in this film is acutely felt.
And that outdoor scene was pretty unintelligible in the theater.
And that outdoor scene was pretty unintelligible in the theater.
12-11-02, 11:15 AM
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Its a real shame that the idiots from Disney own all these great French movies(without Mauvais..)....and there s no word when they will be released on DVD.
12-15-02, 12:21 PM
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4 hour-version?????
Where did you hear that? The French disc is most defnitely not 4 hours!!!
www.dvdfr.com
Where did you hear that? The French disc is most defnitely not 4 hours!!!
www.dvdfr.com
