Review Of Un Homme Perdu Options

[POTHOS]

I just finished watching the movie about 15 minutes ago an I am still in the process of organizing my thoughts on this movie and Siddig's performance.

Because of certain aspects regarding the movie I am slightly nervous about posting anything without some guidance from Mel, but in the meantime I can give you an insite into this beautifully crafted film.

If you have seen the trailers they provide a solid guide regarding the pace and tone of the narrative, it felt at times like minutes went by without dialogue yet the movie felt mesmerising, brutal and yet at times tender.

I was surprised how much I warmed to the Melville Poupaud character who ends up being the conduit throughout which we see the narrative unfold. It is also problematic to condem his more voyeristic tendencies as we the viewer are complicity as well in being fascinated by the unfolding events however uncomfortable

Sid's character is just astonishing. He is mysterious, callous, tender, brutal, manipulative and predatory. He blends into the background yet you can hardly regard him as some vulnerable individual lost to the world. The movie attempts to explain his persona and dislocation from all aspects of normal society. Due to lack of dialogue Sid reliance on simple facial expressions especially his eyes to convey his state of mind is at times terrifying.

I have to also praise Danielle Arbid who makes the mundane of everyday life look extraordinary and also has the confidence to not explain every minute detail to the audience.

There is very little swearing in this movie but some violence which make your jaw drop not because of the intensity but due to the impact on the psyche of the characters. Betrayal comes from all sides and leaves you breathless at times.

If my memory is correct there were at least five intense sexual scenes, none of which I would regard as pornographic. However they bare no relation to the highly stylized love scenes that Hollywood is known for. These were realistic and intense, with Melville,s character being the most sexually free. However Siddig does act in his first love / sex scene and IMHO is the most explicit of the sex scenes. In many ways this is the turning point of the movie. You realize that the character is brutal and tender with a shocking aftermath to the encounter. I suspect that the actors must have had a great deal of trust in Danielle to be that vulnerable in front of a camera. If it is any help Siddig has nothing to fear he has a lovely body and by that point you are so engrossed in the narrative you see him as portraying another aspect of this complex individual.

Each scene reveals a little about the past of the two protagonists without straining credibility. The conclusion is fairly predictable but yet I did not feel let down or cheated, it all made sense to me.

Two criticisms come to mind though. I felt the women were cyphers rather than three dimensional characters to the plot and in only one instance was the constant presence of the camera questioned. That felt odd to me, somehow.

This is an adult movie in the best sense of the word and if this is the direction Siddig is going in with his work I whole heartedly approve.

Best Wishes

Jude

I hope that for those of you unable to to see the movie this review helps as I am still trying to process my thoughts. Mel if any of my review break board rules feel free to edit as you see fit.

[Mel]

Thanks for the review, Jude. It sounds like watching the film is an intense experience; no wonder it is receiving so much attention from the flm critics and festivals.

[POTHOS]

If anyone needs any questions answering I will do my best to help.

Mel I am so relieved that the review did break any board codes I must say that some Sidsters might not find the movie to their taste.

Jude

[ulli]

Thanks so much for this wonderful review, Jude. If the movie is only half as good and interesting as your review than I'm sure I'm going to like it.

Ulli

[fangirl]

Thank you for a first rate review Jude. Your review identifies some of the emotions I picked up from the first teaser trailers. I remember one of them leaving me kind of stunned by it's intensity. I am so hoping I can figure out how to view this online, being in the States, and believe me if there is a way, I will find it.

I am always amazed to see actors can lose themselves in a character to create such a piece of work. Sounds like more praise for Sid is in order here.

Joy

This post has been edited by fangirl: Dec 25 2007, 04:57 PM

[debbie]

I have just finished watching this movie, and I cannot add any thing more to Jude's very eloquent review. It was a spell binding experience, very beautifully filmed. Yes I totally agree with what you said in the spoilers section, especially about Siddig. I actually thought the music went well with the story, quite hypnotic. Although I was a little bit disappointed in the ending. I shall have to watch it again soon. Sid is a wonderful actor
GREAT WORK! LOTS MORE PLEASE!

Debbie

[fangirl]

It appears that Dec 22 was the only showing of this movie. I am so disappointed that I missed it. I will be keeping my eyes open for another chance.

Joy

[debbie]

I found this blog by someone called Shapster, its a really nice review and they are very impressed with Sid's preformance.

Its difficult to link and I am not very good at this so the link is;

http://inthemoodforblog.blog.co.uk

or if you google it as in the mood for blog hopefully you will find it
sorry that I am so useless at this!

Debbie

[ulli]

I think I just revive this topic. So of course I ordered both, "Espion(s)" and "Un homme perdu" on amazon.fr.

I don't think there is much to add to Jude's review. I loved the music and the long scenes without dialogue. Beautifully filmed, indeed.

I feel a bit....er...lost for words concerning the story. It sometimes feels there isn't a story but at the same time it feels as if the film doesn't need a story. (Does that makes sense?) I feel it's a bit to easy for Thomas to find out where Fouad is from and what he did. It feels rushed towards the end after the quiet, slow beginning.

And I think there is a bit of humour in it. Especially when Thomas dries to book a room for two and when he buys/rents a car and obviously can't drive.

I would describe it as very "French" and a kind of "filmed art work". Liked it.

[charmedgirl]

[quote name='ulli' date='Sep 2 2009, 11:17 AM' post='16591']
I think I just revive this topic. So of course I ordered both, "Espion(s)" and "Un homme perdu" on amazon.fr.



The two movies I'll NEVER get to see!

[prelocandkanar]

I live in the US and ordered both "Un Homme Perdu" (received and watched) and "Espion(s)" (just ordered, not yet received) through French Amazon. They took my regular credit card. Admittedly, I had to pick up a DVD player that will play other regions, but it was fairly cheap. I wonder if you can rent one, or find a used one really cheap. Or maybe someone you know, a friend or relative, has a model that plays different regions.

If not, come on over to my house, and you can watch them with me! Come to think of it, we can have a Sid film fest. I could *always* see A Dangerous Man" again...

In fact, the offer's open to all. We could have a Sid party!

Beth

[charmedgirl]

I live in the US and ordered both "Un Homme Perdu" (received and watched) and "Espion(s)" (just ordered, not yet received) through French Amazon. They took my regular credit card. Admittedly, I had to pick up a DVD player that will play other regions, but it was fairly cheap. I wonder if you can rent one, or find a used one really cheap. Or maybe someone you know, a friend or relative, has a model that plays different regions.

If not, come on over to my house, and you can watch them with me! Come to think of it, we can have a Sid film fest. I could *always* see A Dangerous Man" again...

In fact, the offer's open to all. We could have a Sid party!

Beth

Playing it on my DVD player is no problem-Ordering online WITHOUT a credit card is the real problem!

Also, do you live on Long Island? I'm not a big traveler and don't drive outside Long Island(very scared of getting lost)

[POTHOS]

Ulli.

I meant to ask about this and without giving the ending away, I saw how the story was going to ages before it was played out. Did you feel the same?.

Also was there any English subtitles at all on the UHP DVD?.

I you ever get the chance to get screen caps of the family dining scene or Siddig without his beard at the family apartment could you send them to me. it might be actually better to put them on the forum but I have no idea how Mel would feel about that.

Charmedgirl. Have you looked in to pay pal as a solution although I am not sure Amazon FR will use that system. Ulli might be able to answer that.

Jude

This post has been edited by POTHOS: Sep 3 2009, 10:57 AM

[POTHOS]

If you have access to Amazon.com there is a copy of the UHP DVD in I believe Portuguese. Someone might find this of interest.

Jude

[Zonya]

Playing it on my DVD player is no problem-Ordering online WITHOUT a credit card is the real problem!

Also, do you live on Long Island? I'm not a big traveler and don't drive outside Long Island(very scared of getting lost)

If you don't have a credit card you can make a Pay Pal account and deposit the money there. With this then you can buy what you want if Pay Pal is accepted.
Hope this helps.

I live in the US and ordered both "Un Homme Perdu" (received and watched) and "Espion(s)" (just ordered, not yet received) through French Amazon. They took my regular credit card. Admittedly, I had to pick up a DVD player that will play other regions, but it was fairly cheap. I wonder if you can rent one, or find a used one really cheap. Or maybe someone you know, a friend or relative, has a model that plays different regions.

If not, come on over to my house, and you can watch them with me! Come to think of it, we can have a Sid film fest. I could *always* see A Dangerous Man" again...

In fact, the offer's open to all. We could have a Sid party!

Beth

Hello Beth, can you tell me if A Dangerous Man has Spanish audio and/or Spanish subtitles?

[prelocandkanar]

>can you tell me if A Dangerous Man has Spanish audio and/or Spanish subtitles?

Just checked... My copy does not. In fact, it doesn't have *any* other language, any subtitles, and almost no special features at all. Just bios of the two stars, and a bit of background info on the real Lawrence. Sorry. Maybe there's a version on the Spanish Amazon...??

[Zonya]

>can you tell me if A Dangerous Man has Spanish audio and/or Spanish subtitles?

Just checked... My copy does not. In fact, it doesn't have *any* other language, any subtitles, and almost no special features at all. Just bios of the two stars, and a bit of background info on the real Lawrence. Sorry. Maybe there's a version on the Spanish Amazon...??

Thank you dear, I'll check that. I couldn't find anything some years ago, but didn't have credit card at that time, I'll try again.
Hugssss,
Zonya.

[Magenta]

If you have access to Amazon.com there is a copy of the UHP DVD in I believe Portuguese. Someone might find this of interest.

Jude

Did someone buy the Portugese DVD? I would like to know what it was like. What subtitles were there for the Arabic lines? Were there subtitles for the French part? Was there something in English?

[POTHOS]

Just to let you know there is one copy on Amazon.com priced at around $40.00 so if you are one of the posters who have never seen it this might be your chance.

Jude

[POTHOS]

Finally got a DVD copy of the movie. What was interesting was that I feel the English subtitles were much more detailed than the TV version I saw.

It makes the narrative clearer for instance Siddig's character is revealed to be 52 years old and his motives for wanting to remain missing makes more sense.

I recommend this movie 100%.

Best Wishes.

Jude.