A Very Long Engagement

Recently, and as a result of its centenary, films with themes around the First World War have once again been the target of interest. Made in 2004, this movie is far from that kind of cyclical phenomenon where we remember things on their birthdays, and there's so much good in it that it's hard to know where to start. The script is simply superb and is the envy of many movies with no story to tell: during the Battle of the Somme, five French soldiers are sentenced to death for allegedly having shot themselves in the hands in order to get them out of the fight. The film quickly lets us know that there are, among this group of convicts, some who were victims of accidents with their own weapons, and each has their own life story before the war. One of them is particularly awaited by his fiancée... however, after the war, and against all odds, she continues to look for him, convinced that he is alive somewhere, and conducts a real detective work to find him. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's work is excellent. He had already earned an ovation with "Amelie", his film of international acclaim, but this film manages to be even better, because it is more complex in all aspects without losing the quality, freshness and rhythm that we feel in "Amelie". The film is an absolute must for anyone who wants to see something about the First World War, as it carefully respects the historical rigor and recreates, with good doses of precision, the environment of the trenches: materials, uniforms, weapons, everything seems to be fine with the period and environment. The city of Paris was also lovingly recreated by the director, who gives us the atmosphere of a city, and a society, still digesting everything that happened to it. Audrey Tautou, almost the muse of Jeunet, is once again the star of this film and once again excels in a magnificent dramatic work. She is truly one of the best French actresses today, and brings us a character full of feeling, strength and persistence, who weaves an elegant counterpoint with the apparent fragility of her sick and frail body. In addition to her, the film features the excellent work of Gaspard Ulliel, Dominique Pinon and Marion Cotillard. I would like to highlight the performance of Ticky Holgado, who couldn't be more witty and funny than it is, as well as the honorable cameo of Jodie Foster, a Hollywood veteran whom Jeunet imported, in good time, for a minor role but which she does with dedication, commitment and professionalism, in addition to an impeccable French accent worthy of a native speaker of the tongue. As people say, there are no small roles, n'est ce pas? Despite the excellent story, the remarkable work of the cast, the solicitous direction, the film also has expensive production values and enormous quality, especially considering that it is not a film from Hollywood. The cinematography deserves a very special note, with superb filming work, superb colors with sepia touches and vintage styling, as well as careful editing. The battle scenes were very well done, the sets and costumes are perfect, and the attention to the smallest details is something that does not escape the viewer's eye. Another point I want to highlight is the judicious choice of filming locations, particularly on the coast, where rural bucolicism blends in very well with the wild and untamed nature of the Atlantic. Finally, a note of praise for the excellent soundtrack, composed by Angelo Badalamenti, who we already know from the collaboration in films like "Blue Velvet" or "Mulholland Drive".

ارتباط طويل جداً بالطبع لفرنسا تاريخ سينمائي لا يمكن لأحد إنكاره، وجان بيير جينت لديه خاصية إخراجية تجعل الروح تحلق ليس مع الفكرة فقط بل بكل حركة كاميرا وموسيقى ولون. هذا الفيلم بطبيعته الساحرة ورومنسيته المفرطة يقدم وجبة شهة من العاطفة المفتقدة كثيراً بالسينما المعاصرة .. وهذا برأيي هو السبب أن يكون فيلماً مميزاً