Blue is the Warmest Color
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Writers: Abdellatif Kechiche (scenario, adaptation and dialogue), Ghalia Lacroix (scenario, adaptation and dialogue)
Julie Maroh … (adapted from: the comic book “Le Bleu est une couleur chaude”)
Cinematography …. Sofian El Fani
Runtime 179 minutes Color
Aspect Ratio 2.35 : 1
Camera Canon EOS C300, Angenieux Optimo Lenses
Cast
Léa Seydoux … Emma
Adèle Exarchopoulos … Adèle
Salim Kechiouche … Samir
Aurélien Recoing … Père Adèle
Catherine Salée … Mère Adèle
Benjamin Siksou … Antoine
Mona Walravens … Lise
Alma Jodorowsky … Béatrice
I finally saw “Blue Is the Warmest Color.” I was unable to see it upon its release due to its NC-17 rating. Finally, nearly a year-and-a-half after it took home the Palme d’Or at Cannes, I sat myself down for to watch the 3 hour long romantic epic in French. Epic is probably the best word to describe it. Thanks to two stunning performances by Adèle Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux, this film soars. Surely, because of its rating, LGBT subject matter (which is handled better than possibly any film I’ve seen), and admittedly, its multiple full-frontal sex scenes, this film could be dismissed in a similar way to Lars Von Trier’s 6 hour “Nymphomaniac,” which I subjected myself to over the summer (Part I is great, Part II is just okay to awful). Please don’t do that. This is a film that deserves your attention. I know its annoying to read subtitles, but get over it! As for the sex scenes, they occupy maybe 20 minutes total and only one is even remotely gratuitous, and by the halfway point, you’re in the clear; in addition though, the duo are such comfortable performers, what you see is not depraved nor is it something out of a pornographic film, but rather, pure, unadulterated passion.
If you are an aspiring actress, as much as I hate to tell you to watch a movie with an NC-17 rating, this movie is a must watch, especially for Exarchopoulos, whose performance, ranging from subtle to melodramatic, is utterly outstanding.
cinemashadow 