As in portraiture, this movie is a study of the face. Every look says something, every glance has stakes. The mythological allegory adds a nice layer by highlighting a key motif for the story to explore, the fatal look back.This scene is reconfigured a few times, in the climax I think Heloise may be aware that Marianna is behind her but chooses not to look back, symbolically making the 'lover's choice' as opposed to Marianna who made the 'poet's choice' a few scenes earlier (Heloise even tells her to turn around as per her interpretation of the story). Orpheus being a musician ties into their connection via the song. The subtle motion tracking on Heloise in the last shot was a perfect way to end it, with painterly fixation on her face. The cinematography was excellent throughout and that shot was a cherry on top.
I really liked the choice to not use any soundtrack except for sparse diegetic music. It's historically grounding since this is a time where you couldn't hear music without someone performing it live, and that makes it more powerful when it does show up. I'll admit when I first saw it I thought it was a bit cheap to lean on Vivaldi so much in the final shot, but you know what I love 2001 and if Kubrick can get away with shoving Strauss into every scene then dammit, Sciamma can tap the Four Seasons for the money shot at the end because it fucking works. The relative absence of music also leaves a lot of room for the sound design to go full asmr with the brushes on canvas, crashing waves, whipping wind, crackling fire. Those details really stood out in the theater. Also, I feel like everyone is constantly whispering, was that just me?
Camden posted...
The only scene in the entire movie I didn't particularly care for was the argument they get in to, if only because it felt like they were trying to force some tension into the relationship when it was entirely unnecessary and didn't really have much payoff.
...First, while I understand the running to the point of exhaustion and herbal remedies, what would the possible reasoning be for hanging from a board like me trying to do pull-ups in gym class when it comes to forcing an abortion? Also, beyond it just being a good way to get some overt sexual imagery in the film, who was telling these women back then that the place to rub your magic drugs is your armpit
Totally agree with all of this, the only parts of the movie that didn't really make sense to me. Even for an old-timey abortion practice the idea of just dangling until a fetus drops out seems beyond silly. Was that a thing? And when the drugs popped up I was certain they were going to hit it from the tobacco pipe. She even said it slowed down time, I was like for sure this is weed. And then she daps her pits and her eyes go black, I have no idea wtf drug even does that. With the argument I just felt like I was having a stereotype guy moment because I couldn't even figure out what they were arguing about, even the second time through.
Overall it's an elegant and affecting drama, a little dry at times in its seriousness but never too dour. Well-performed, looks and sounds great. Didn't hit as hard the second time around so I'm gonna go with an 8 but it's a high 8/10 ---