La Terre (1921)

Nov 16, 2008 23:45

A telling of Emile Zola's classic novel of the same name. I've never read it but I can say that this film gave me no aching urge to pick it up.

1) Apparently this isn't a "complete" version of the film. You can definitely feel that in the beginning. Scenes don't so much flow into each other as much as they just happen. Characters are introduced that may not be seen or talked about again for another half hour. These early scenes still have some payoff toward the end, but there is still no sense of connection to the rest of the story.

2) I hated nearly everyone. The Fouan family are just a bunch of rat bastards that you can't even get behind in a "yay!evil" kind of way. They're just a bunch of pathetic cowards who look after themselves ineptly. I don't know why the Patriarch should be surprised that his kids aren't paying his just due. If I knew that they were all assholes at first glance, he should have known after living with them their wholes lives. Non-hated characters: Françoise and Jean.

3) However, I had to laugh that one of the most obviously debauched memeber of the Fouan family was nicknamed "Jesus Christ".

4) Director André Antoine was apparently known for alllicting "naturalistic" performances from both his stage and screen productions. I would say he did a fine job of it here. The performances soon fall into an easy, natural flow. Everyone seems to be right at home. The "at work in the field" stuff is especially good.

5) I loved the somber score. Bass Clarinet FTW! It's been nearly a decade sense I picked one up but I recognized the sound immediately.

Overall, the awkward pace at the beginning really threw me off when it came to the rest of the film. There are some good aspects to it, but it sometimes feels disjointed.

first impressions, silents is golden

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