Blue [DVD]

The more you watch this film, the more certain things become clear, but not everything! "Jamais de la vie."It begins with a car wreck in which a family of three is trapped.The action quickly leaps to the hospital where we come face to face with Julia, the sole survivor, who cannot speak.First we learn that her husband died. But more important than the loss of Julia's husband is the loss of her daughter Anna. This becomes apparent in the early hospital scene when her face changes on hearing of her daughter's death. This is the more devastating news to her. We learn that her husband was a composer involved in writing a symphony on the new European Union. It becomes abundantly clear that Julia wrote some of the most innovative parts of this symphony about the unification of Europe, and, by the way, was to get no credit whatsoever for it. Her husbands betrayal is even clearer (as blue crystals that prevail throughout the film) when Mistress/Attorney turns up as not only an amorous lover of her husband, but the illegitiment mother for his secret baby. All of this is not surprising so much as it is a full realization of things Julia had denied and suppressed long before the car accident occurred. Anguish over death and betrayal goes on in her mind throughout this film. And why is it so capivating? The answer to this question goes on more in each viewer's own heart than it does in any dialogue. What we witness is the speechless unfolding of the human heart. Julia is a person whose deepest motives and aspirations had always been sacrificed for the sake of others. Now, in the midst of tragedy, she rises out of the ashes of her ruined life into a baptism and rebirth of her true inner self. The old person is pushed aside as if by the thrust of her hand, and a new person emerges. This all becomes clear when she hands over the keys of the old family estate to the new mother. What does she want for this? "Rien,"(means nothing)she says! Now she has discovered how to express her deeper self for the first time. Her rebirth as a person is almost complete. When she inserts the flute solo into the symphony she at first tried to destroy, she makes her ultimate triumphant declaration. Of course all this is internalized. The dramatization is expressed through surreal imagery, exalted music, subtle background sounds, and most intensely through Julia's eye movements and facial twitching. Following the back of the head profiles through dark rooms is a movie in itself. And we ask why? Very few words tell us what is happening. It is intentionally left to the viewer to surmise what these symbolic acts mean. If you never suffered some deep personal grief, you probably cannot understand any of this. Beauty here is suspended from a very thin thread. Life is suspended on a bungee strap. The meaning rises out of images and music buried deep in the soul of this determined young woman.

Blue (1993) is the first film in the Three Colors trilogy, and it sets the stage and tone for a fantastic and ambitious undertaking for critically acclaimed director Krzysztof Kieslowski. This film depicts a woman who tries to rebuild her life after the tragic deaths of her husband and young daughter, and her reluctance to have any reminders of her past. The only problem is that she's constantly reminded of her past times with her husband and daughter, and ultimately finds out that her late husband wasn't faithful to her. Symbolism is prevalent throughout the film, and I'll leave it at that, as I do not want to spoil anything here. One thing that I can say is that like the other two films in the series (White and Red), the color depicted in the film (in this case blue) is so much of the backdrop and meaning of the film (perhaps feeling blue), and is visually stunning and allegorical (swimming to wash away the past), etc. One thing that impressed me was the incredible resilience and heart of the lead character in the film, almost to the point of not being human in her emotions. I'm saying this in a good way, as I'll chalk it up as her being numb from the deaths of her husband and daughter, while still being a very strong and secure person behind all the perceived insecurities (not wanting to deal with her past). I was amazed at how she hardly cries during her mourning, as if she's built a solid wall around her to prevent hurt. Ironically, she deals with her late husband's mistress in a very graceful and forgiving way, which again doesn't come across as very human. Blue is one of those films that draws you in and never lets go. I will say that Red is a tad better, but Blue can hold its own. Great direction, some plot twists, great acting, symbolism, and some gorgeous music make Blue essential viewing. I had to watch this film using the English subtitle, as I'm not fluid in French. The special features are excellent, with commentaries, interviews, etc. This trilogy of films by Kieslowski come highly recommended, as each one is a stand alone effort, instead of a story arc. Get this film (and the rest of the trilogy) for a great experience.

"Blue" is the first of three films that comprise the Three Colours trilogy. They are themed on the French Revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity; it is followed by White and Red (the three colours of the French flag). According to Kieślowski, the subject of the film "Blue" is liberty, specifically emotional liberty, rather than its social or political meaning. To add to this films genius you should really watch the films in order (Blue - White - Red). I like to watch all three in the same day as they all tie into each other and often the extras in the background have something to do with the happenings of the other films, so be prepared to watch the trilogy more than once to catch and understand everything. "White" is my favourite film out of the three, but seeing all three makes them all better. The cinematography in these films is great too. It seems obvious but if you don't like subtitles then these films may not be for you. I believe that you can also buy Three Colours as a set too.

This first part of Krzysztof Kieslowski's superb trio of films based around the French flag tricolor (in this case, associated with liberty) is, for me, probably the weakest of the trilogy, and whilst being a subtle, moving and brilliantly shot piece of work by this master director, does not have quite the emotional power of Red or the witty invention of White. It does, though, showcase a subtle and brilliantly restrained performance from Juliette Binoche (indeed, the best I have seen from her) as the film's central character Julie, whose life is torn asunder following the demise of husband and daughter in the film's opening car crash sequence - which provides the film's dramatic opening and is shot in vibrant and engaging style by DoP, Slawomir Idziak, whose work is outstanding throughout the film.Of course, one of the other major features of Three Colours Blue is Kieslowski's brilliant use of music - again composed by Kieslowski's regular collaborator Zbigniew Preisner and including the central piece for the Unity Of Europe, which in the film Julie's husband (famous composer Patrice de Courcy) has at his death left unfinished. In particular, Kieslowski uses the strident strings of the film's score to punctuate key moments of dramatic development. Similarly, the film's 'blue motif', as well as reflecting the film's generally melancholic air, is liberally (maybe too liberally) sprinkled (visually) throughout, whether it be in the form of the crystal chandelier, folders, book binders, bin bags, lollipops, swimming pool, etc.The core of Blue is concerned with Julie's attempts at coming to terms with her loss, initially by trying to shut out the past - closing down the elegant house in which she has lived and moving anonymously to a Parisian apartment. There are a number of emotionally charged scenes, such as that where (recovering in hospital) Julie initially attempts suicide, and Kieslowski illustrates the film's liberty theme as Julie will not sign a petition to remove a sex club performer from her tenement and then when Julie, having discovered her husband had a long-standing (now pregnant) mistress, reacts with tolerance and kindness, rather than violently rejecting her (in one of the film's most powerful sequences). There is, therefore, much to commend Kieslowski's film and, despite a feeling that the film rather loses its way during the middle third and does not fully develop some of the characters (e.g. Patrice's ex-colleague, Olivier, who loves Julie), Blue's concluding recapitulation scene, depicting each of the film's key characters before resting on a close-up of Julie's eye is superb.Also included on the DVD is an interesting set of extras, including a Kieslowski masterclass in which he talks (again) about his uncanny eye for visual detail and an interview with Binoche, in which she reveals she opted for the part in Blue over one in Spielberg's Jurassic Park, claiming she would have preferred a part as one of the dinosaurs rather than opt for one of the female roles on offer!

REad about the D.V.D. in another book enjoyed the strong religious bent and the acting was superb. Would be interested in the other parts of the trilogy.

An excellent film. Watched all three together all were excellent. Best films I have seen in decades.

I do like a good film which ticks all the boxes and this one does it for me. Juliette Binoche is great too.

good price, good product, good service