laurent-milot Reviews

High Life (2018)

Black holes inside out

[10/10 · 10 September 2018]

A rock on the head... I felt as if I was hit that way watching this new opus from Claire Denis at its TIFF world premiere. People walking out, scarce applause, you know you watched something else, something reminding you that cinema really is an incredible medium, acting is more than reading texts and showing pretty faces, and writing is an art on its own. Without spoiling the movie, just know that it's not what you expect, likely not what you want to see (or I seriously question your sanity), and that the U.F.O may be a metaphor for the movie itself and/or the viewer, absorbed as they are inexorably towards an unforgiving black hole. Cast is amazing, with special mention for Juliette Binoche, unforgettable, although you wished you could.

C'est la vie! (I) (2017)

A joyful parenthesis

[10/10 · 17 September 2017]

"C'est la vie" is a hilarious movie, but also very french, which is both a great thing, as its humour captures very well some subtleties about the french, and a weakness, as some north-American critics may not appreciate these subtleties, as they aren't as "in your face" as often seen. But from a French pov, this is an absolute pleasure. First and foremost, Jean-Pierre Bacri does "du Bacri", and this from the onset. The laughs are loud, the control and pace perfect. From that point on, this great ensemble will carry the movie from surreal situations to absurd quid pro quo leaving the audience in tears from laughs and deeply satisfied. In days and age where everything is so serious, don't feel guilty to enjoy this joyful parenthesis.

Three Christs (2017)

Dinklage in a cuckoo's nest

[9/10 · 14 September 2017]

"Three Christs" was a last minute choice of mine at the TIFF. As a big Dinklage's fan, and considering that it was a world premiere, it was easy enough to go check it out. I'm glad I did. This movie is one about the brain and its struggles, but it does so with a big heart. It's funny and touching with a good balance, and the acting is top notch (I'm actually a bigger Dinklage's fan after the movie). The underlying themes about psychiatry as science and its potential negative effect on personality, the nature of identity, the complex interaction of desire and fear are inhabiting the film and are as relevant today as they were at the time. In summary, a great entertaining movie with a deeper layer... and a stellar Dinklage!

Mother! (2017)

Raw Art as its best

[10/10 · 14 September 2017]

I left Mother! with a bitter taste in my mouth. My visceral self didn't like what it just witnessed. However, as I reflected and let my mind go over the movie itself, I started to see all its quality, its symbolism. One day after having seen it, i can clearly say that i love this movie, and i suspect that it will be in my all time favourites as time goes by. This is the power of Mother!, one true experience. It's raw artistry of the highest order, a reminder that Art is better left as unchecked as possible.

Euphoria (I) (2017)

Family reunion

[10/10 · 11 September 2017]

Just out of the TIFF's world premiere of Euphoria, starring Alicia Vikander and Eva Green as main protagonists, two sisters vacationing for an unusual family reunion. This is a challenging movie to describe without spoiling it, but spoiling it is destroying its appeal, so I will just say that the actresses will take you on a roller-coaster of emotions, the cinematography is majestic, the supporting cast is full of surprises and that its subject is treated with an unusual mastery. The feminine touch of the director transpires everywhere in the movie, which gives it an unusual tone and daring sensuality. A fantastic movie to see absolutely!

A Season in France (2017)

Aren't we all migrants?

[10/10 · 11 September 2017]

I recently saw at the TIFF the world premiere of "une saison en France", most recent opus from Mahamat Saleh Haroun staring Sandrine Bonnaire and Ériq Ebouaney as main characters. It is a must-see movie, but not in a "what an entertaining/technical/star-filled movie" sense, in a "this movie is essential and should be shown at school" sense. This is one of those very rare movies presenting the point of view of the nameless and faceless, those whom you cross everyday, likely judge without knowing a single thing about, their past and current struggles, the horror they faced and face, not just at the hands of armed men, but also because of heartless and soulless systems, focused more on order than people. It's a truly humanist movie, a moving movie. It leaves you changed, likely a somewhat better person, not a small accomplishment, especially in our world where we are so centred on our own personal failures and successes. So please go see and make some noise about this movie, one of the best examples of Cinema meeting Social Commentary.