Wednesday, November 08, 2006

... and another film

Last night I watched The Beat That My Heart Skipped, a French remake of a 1970s movie called Fingers, which starred Harvey Keitel. I didn't realize it was a remake until the end, but "serious" film mags like Sight & Sound had been saying glorious things about The Beat That My Heart Skipped, such as it being the best film of 2005.

As it happens, it was all right. I liked it, but it wasn't even the best film I've seen in the past week, let alone of a whole year.

The lead actor, Romain Duris, was very good, though, and reminded me initially of Colin Farrell, then, later on, of a Mean Streets-era Robert De Niro. The film is probably worth watching for this guy alone.

Good film, but don't believe the hype. I score this 70.

9 Comments:

Blogger Red said...

Seriously, how overrated was this?

08 November, 2006 15:57  
Blogger Martha Elaine Belden said...

i like the title

and i tend to disagree heavily with most critics. if they say it's the best thing since citizen kane (which, i've not yet seen but have heard it's supposed to be the "best movie of all time" but is also kinda boring... i won't judge till i've seen) i tend to think it's not that great

and often when they say it's terrible, i either love it, or at least find myself enjoying it

but i do like that title

08 November, 2006 16:41  
Blogger Martha Elaine Belden said...

i hope that post made sense... basically i was just agreeing that critics tend to overrate things... or, on the contrary, underrate them

08 November, 2006 16:41  
Blogger Shep said...

I can imagine the scene...

"That was a great film...loved it...the best thi-...hang on...what does it say here? Remake? REMAKE? Mrs *: the dustbin if you please..."

(for the record, I'm not sure anyone would want to be reminded of Colin Farrell...)

08 November, 2006 17:56  
Blogger * (asterisk) said...

Red: Some, that's for sure.

Martha: I know what you mean. For the record, I think Citizen Kane is one of the best movies ever made, too. And it's not at all boring. Welles gives an outstanding performance, and the cinematography is both beautiful and groundbreaking. Great picture.

Shep: I did feel a smidgen cheated, I gotta tell you! I'm not totally down on remakes; indeed, at the beginning I was going, "Y'know, if they remade this in Hollywood, this guy would be played by Colin Farrell." (Though I agree, no one wants to be told they look like The Farrell.) But I do think they are largely unnecessary, as well you know.

08 November, 2006 18:07  
Blogger Suze said...

I haven't seen Fingers either. What is the movie about?

I must say that I am drawn to Romain. ;)

08 November, 2006 18:38  
Blogger Shep said...

I agree - like the whole Hidden thing where you just know Michael Douglas would shit all over it. And look smugly to camera as he did it. Using a DVD player instead of a videotape. Or something.

I haven't seen a Colin Farrell film where I haven't thought "This is a *insert better actor* film in disguise"...even the porn home movie he did makes you think "You know, Tommy Lee would add a little gravitas to everythig that's missing here..."

08 November, 2006 18:39  
Blogger Red said...

Colin Farrell (whom I really don't like) was remarkably charming in Scrubs.

08 November, 2006 18:40  
Blogger * (asterisk) said...

Suze: It was about a hardman-type debt-collector type, who wants to be a pianist, but finds it impossible to get out of the life he is in. But it has more to it than that rather lame synopsis!

Shep: Ew, I really didn't want to think about Farrell shaggin anyone. That's put me off my ... well, my life, actually. Goodbye cruel world.

Red: Yeah, he was, as it happens.

09 November, 2006 15:48  

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