Villa Amalia [PAL]

:-(

LOVE IT!!!

After Ann realizes his husband cheats her, she decides to clean her life, making what one might denominate a total cut, to begin again since zero. She abandons her succesful caree as piano concertist, sells her comfortable apartment, looking for a place to hide herself from the crowd.The exquisite and always talented Isabelle Huppert headlines this passionate tale, adapted from a novel by belletrist Pascal Quignard (All the Mornings of the World). Guided by her musical intuition and the emotional support of a male friend, Georges (Jean-Hugues Anglade), Ann suddenly realizes how necessary it is for her to latch onto a new identity. She thus embarks on a transnational journey that ultimately takes her to the island of Ischia, Italy, and a palatial house called the Villa Amalia that will change her life.As the time goes by, she realizes the loneliness will be its eternal partner while the other people is just another piece in her messy existence. Deception, disaffection and the search of peace far from the madding world.Jacques Benoit makes a minimalist description (with a marked style that seems borrowed from Michelangelo Antonioni) about this feeling of unberable loneliness without abusing of unnecessary dialogues, the images are by themselves extremely eloquent and talk by themselves. Arresting landscapes and a first rate cast compete this little filmic gem.Don't let it pass. It will reward you.

Please note that there may be some potential spoilers in this review.If you have read a synopsis of the story and seen the cover of the DVD you might be expecting a bright and passionate film. In reality, for much of the film, it focuses on the drab apartment where Isabelle Huppert’s character of Ann lives often accompanied by equally drab music for far too long. Dialogue is minimal throughout the film, which would be alright if there was something else that made up for it, but there isn’t and I was left watching what I felt to be a dull, drab film.The plot is or could be a good one but it is delivered in a somewhat tedious way. There is some beautiful scenery in the film, but little use is made of it, and the film concentrates much more on the dreary aspects of Ann’s life. Even when life starts to look better for Ann, it seems to appear far to late in the film and Ann still appears dull.I am not criticising Isabelle Huppert’s acting because it is faultless (assuming she was directed to act in such a dreary way) and the support from the rest of the cast is equally faultless.I am not someone who can only enjoy a film if it is bright and cheery, but this film didn’t work for me.On the DVD you get:Villa Amalia (1 hour 30 min)Chapters (Scene Selection)Special Features:Interview with Director Benoit Jacquot (11 minutes)Behind The Scenes Gallery – a series of still shots (1 min)Set Up: 5.1 Dolby Surround or Dolby 2.0 StereoTrailers of ten other films

Practically nthing happens and less is said in this film. Still I found myself engrossed from beginning to end. This is a film told in pictures. Somepeople might call it art house and it might be, but I think its too accessible to be pigeon holed as such.Although it has a different style and many people would bedriven out of the room by its slow pace, if that doesn't put you off itis worth watching. am notsure if I will seeit again, but it was well worth watching and some of the scenes are qute beautiful.

I found the film really boring and a total disappointment. Like watching paint dry. Waste of time and money.

Expected some Ischia (the island in the cover) in it but was not...

VERY MIXED UP.DIDN'T ENJOY IT AT ALL