THE HORSEMAN ON THE ROOF
FRANCE 1995
A few directors in France, seem to have taken upon
themselves to take up the art of directing -- seriously -- and create films that
have the actors as the strong point, and the story, well, maybe still (in these
days anyway) valid in some form or another.
In what is another
historical perspective story, this one is about the Austrian regime's oppressive
manners in Europe after Napoleon went down. Many lords, and well to do people,
specially in Italy, had to run away, as they became the political targets. To
this end, many people assumed underground identities, and many were hunted all
over Europe. Some succeeded, and some failed. This story, however romanticized,
is one of those, while also adding a love story to the midst.
In the
process of running from various Austrian agents that are chasing him, and
probably others, Angelo bumps into Pauline, whose family has also been affected
by the whole thing. And they become friends and help each other on various
occasions, and are able to make it for a period of time, until they at least
know that three agents that are after them are dead. While their adventure
continues, they are becoming in love, although the younger Angelo is shy and
proper, and Pauline is married. She finally reveals that she is married to a man
40 years older than she. By that time, he has already decided to get her home to
her family first, in Italy. He does so.
But the elder husband of Pauline
realizes that his wife falling in love for a younger man is to be expected, and
he allows her to leave for him, where the film ends.
It is either a nice
romantic novel, or a film that says little, except that two people help each
other survive until the rest of their feelings take over.. however, this
beautifully photographed film with sumptuous clothing and music, plods along, in
a fashion that is not fast paced, but it does not seem to be an issue, somehow
it seems right. It's hard to feel bored in this film, unless one is addicted to
steroid films. And it is softly, gently, and directed in a manner that reminds
us of the Claude Berri's opus works, with lots of patience, and lots of moments
in between the main characters to keep our attention.
Both leads,
Martinez and Binoche, are very good, despite the obvious, that she is much older
than him. One might have liked to see a younger woman in the role, but to have
two volatile young people may have made the film not as good as this one. These
are not star crossed lovers in the hunt for a moment of their own... they just
happen to get close enough to make a go of what they have been through which is
not easy, or fun while it is happening and eventually it does.
This film
is very much like a lot of French films at the time of the mid nineties. They
may not have the technical delights of a Hollywood thriller, but they do have
the beauty and design, and the care, to make the film stand out. And it is a
very nice story, that even sheds a little light on another of Europe's many
historical eras, which might be enjoyed and appreciated some. History tends to
hide "the people", and in films like this, you can see it.
4 GIBLOONS
DIRECTOR: JEAN-PAUL RAPPENEAU
CINEMATOGRAPHY: THIERRY ARBOGAST
MUSIC:
JEAN-CLAUDE PETIT
CAST: Plivier Martinez, Juliette Binoche,
Laura Marinoni, Paul Chevillard, Patrick Medioni, Phillipe Guegan
ONE WORD:
Nicely done film.
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