“I believe film is an art. I believe it, I truly believe that. Thought can be transferred by the juxtaposition of images, and you mustn’t be afraid of the audience not understanding. You can say things visually, immediately, and that’s where film, I believe, is going. It’s not a pictorial example of a published work, it’s transference of thought.” Filmmaker Nicolas Roeg


During the Halloween season, Nicolas Roeg's 1973 film "Don't Look Now" is the film usually discussed as a must-see classic. "Don't Look Now" is adapted from a Daphne Du Maurier story and is more of a psychic mystery thriller than horror story. The small figure in red, child or dwarf, that attaches itself to Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland (who play parents of a drowned child) is one of the film's most memorable, and haunting, images.

My review this week is of a later film from Roeg, and usually considered his last important work. "Eureka" (1983) has its faults, but is still worthwhile viewing. It illustrates Roeg's attempts at a "transference of thought", referenced in the above quote. Roeg is not interested in strict realism or political and historical context. He relies on the audience to make sense of his emotional, and sometimes violent, visual imagery.

Some of you may be wondering why I have not been reviewing more contemporary films. I do watch current releases, but have not found anything lately that excites me. Here are three films I've watched recently.

"Paris Can Wait" (2017) - This film was written and directed by Eleanor Coppola. I thought the two main characters, played by Diane Lane and Arnaud Viard, did not have the chemistry required for this romantic comedy to work.

"Fidelio - Alice's Odyssey" (2014) - This is a French film co-written and directed by Lucie Borleteau. The experiences of Alice, an engineer on a cargo ship, are inspired by the life of one of Borleteau's friends. While I found the premise interesting, I had trouble identifying with the choices Alice makes in the film.

"The Stopover" (2016) - Written and directed by Delphine and Muriel Coulin. Ariane Labed (who played Alice) and Soko star in this story of two French soldiers. Their unit stops for a weekend "decompression" in Cyprus, after their tour of duty in Afghanistan. Again, an interesting premise. I felt that the plot, after the first thirty minutes, was too predictable.


Here's the latest article from the Drama Movies site at BellaOnline.com.

Eureka Film Review
Gene Hackman stars in an unusual tale of material wealth and its destructive force. "Eureka", originally released in 1983, has achieved cult status and contains flashes of brilliance orchestrated by British director Nicolas Roeg.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49044.asp

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