I hit the Brattle for the Saturday afternoon show of ARMY OF SHADOWS. A hell of a study in contrast as opening act for GRINDHOUSE later that night.
It's directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, who I realize I'm a three-time fan of now, having seen and enjoyed BOB LE FLAMBEUR and LE SAMOURI on previous Brattle visits. All three films are grand experiences of stylish, precise, suspenseful, and somehow, almost documentary cinematic excellence. "Documentary..." I'm sure there's a better cinephile "-ism" term for what I'm trying to describe. Please excuse my hack-titude.
SHADOWS follows the life of French resistance leader Phillipe Gerbier, during the time of the German occupation in World War II. He leads by example, giving his life and work over to the cause, conducting his life according to rules that have kept him, his friends, and his network alive under the oppression of the Nazi regime.
I can't do it justice. See it if you get a chance during its run at the Brattle. Here's the copy from the Brattle blurb, with links to reviews...
Army Of Shadows at 2:00, 7:00
(1969) dir Jean-Pierre Meville w/Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret [145 min]
As something of a sequel to our "Perspectives on WWII" series, we present a return engagement of one of the most widely lauded foreign films of 2006 - the only surprise being that it was made almost 40 years ago! Jean-Pierre Melville was France's undisputed master of neo-noir, with such classics as Le Samourai, Bob Le Flambeur and Les Dolous under his belt. In ARMY OF SHADOWS, he applies his formidable talent for thrills - and personal experience - to a neo-realist account of French Resistance fighters during WWII.
On over 25 critics' "Top Ten Films of 2006" lists, ARMY OF SHADOWS follows the exploits of a resistance cell in Marseilles during the Nazi occupation of France. The cell is led by stoic Phillipe (Ventura) and consists of a motley assortment of patriots who carry out their small but essential missions under the noses of the occupying force. Eschewing the action pyrotechnics of Hollywood's 60s films on the war (see THE DIRTY DOZEN), ARMY OF SHADOWS is a quiet, realistic account of men and women thrust into dramatic roles by extraordinary circumstances.
"4 Stars!" Ty Burr, The Boston Globe
"A cause for celebration!", James Verniere, Boston Herald
"4 Stars!" Ty Burr, The Boston Globe
"A rare work of art that thrills the senses and the mind… Worthy of that overused superlative MASTERPIECE!", Manohla Dargis, New York Times
Reviews / Articles
Boston Globe Review (6/16/06)
Boston Herald Review (6/16/06)
New York Times Review (4/28/06)
Keep on keepin on~
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