Uncharacteristic sun and warmth for opening day. And, characteristic startup snafus- something with ticket printing. Ah, well, nothing can dim the special rush of VIFF Day 1!
1. Por el Camino (**)
One of those films that looks better in the written synopsis than what ends up on the screen. A road movie with a little too much road and not quite enough movie.
2. Elena (***)
Slow burn from modern Russia. Barely perceptible undercurrent of something sinister. Masterful camera work in the classic style. Long, static shots. Patient and deliberate.
3. Quattro From HK 2 (*)
OK. Experimental, I get it! Hits and misses. Two (sort of) hits (the first and the last) and two misses in the middle. Boonmee Weersathekul should really try a different line of work, one that doesn't involve annoying people.
4. Like Crazy (***)
Engaging indie. Falling in love and somehow holding onto it rarely gets this kind of honesty. And, scripted “natural” dialogue, when it's this good, is definitely better than the real “natural” variety.
5. Crazy Horse (***)
Frederick Wiseman demonstrates why “legendary” has attached itself to his name. A “fly on the wall” look inside Paris' Crazy Horse nude dancing cabaret. Never have so many perfect bodies and bare breasts been so... just there and so strangely un-erotic! Impeccably shot and edited. A visual feast.
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