Rating: 
Summary: It's time for some reality...
Review: Good God people! When first we wade through the effusive praises heaped upon Kieslowski's metaphysical interpretation (so to speak) of le drapeau tricolore by so many star-struck and goggle-eyed foreign film enthusiasts that the reviews become indistinguishable, we are inclined at first to be dismissive in our reading. However it may appear that this review is nothing more than a rant contre les autres (against the others) it is not. I promised some reality didn't I? In reality these reviews, the majority of which though rather over the top, have been just in their critique of the trilogy. Within reason however Kieslowski's masterpiece is NOT as many profess the GREATEST FOREIGN FILMAKING of ALL time. Ah yes, I fully endorse the enthusiastic post coital praises, the rose tinted glasses, the luscious afterglow of film magic, yet shouldn't we also visit Truffaut (the workman filmaker), Bertolucci's 1900 perhaps, lest we forget Felini or Schlorndorf's The Tin Drum, or the daring of German Expressionists like Murnau or Fritz Lang?Now, leaving out but not forgetting many other auteurs like Wertmuller, Visconti, Passolini, and more, we have a veritable Mt. Olympus of film greats among whom Kieslowski rests comfortably. His achievement stands by itself as a work by a storyteller. A director tells a story and does it well, he earns his living. He crafts, imbues, layers and provokes in the same medium as storyteller, and if he leaves us yearning for more then this may be greatness. This director has met these parameters and exceeded them. These three films achieved what he set out to accomplish. They were pieces in a lyric poem told visually, emotionally, and with enough obscurity they left us thinking and questioning. The director succeded and we went home to digest it, his little post cold war morality play on liberté, égalité, et fraternité. In conclusion, another small dose of reality: The only negative review encountered was in the end the most honest and real including this one. Though I disagree, and would council that reviewer to wean his dependence upon naive and simplistic cinema, which so conveniently wraps up all loose ends so we may go home secure in the knowlege that there isn't anything out there we might not comprehend, I neither fault nor denigrate his opinion which is personal. There is much to be thankful for in American cinema and much greatness therein as well. Let us be careful in our use of superlatives and generalizations when judging the work of others, yet still recommend on merit with qualified praise. Finally, if you the viewing public has yet to see these films then do so. Blue, White and Red are well worth your time. Having been a serious student of film for over 25 years now, I give my guarantee that anyone who's an admirer of European film will profit from and be enriched by the experience.
Rating: 
Summary: The finest ART
Review: One thing that has not been pointed out by other reviewers is the importance of light and colors in the three movies : Each one of them is -actually- of the color of its name. It is striking at the first glimpse, although one forgets about it as one watches the movies. It is only the second time I watched "blue" that I realized I had been staring at a screen that most of the time was... blue! Same thing with "white" and "red". Real masterpieces of picture, as they are of music, action and screenplay. Also a very sharp analysis of society and human relationships, in which much of the interpretation is left open to the viewer. I can't add much more to what has already been said in other reviews. "Bleu" is close to my favorite movie ever. A "must see" for people who look beyond entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Watch a few times, at least
Review: When I first viewed these films, I was a little bored. But they sort of stuck on my mind. So when they came out on DVD, I decided to buy them, since I wanted more French-language dvd's to help me practice. Anyway, now I believe them to be some of the finest cinema ever made (check out 'the decalogue' by the same director also). For me, Rouge is the best. How can one take their eyes of Irene Jacob? It's a really nice glimpse into contemporary French/Swiss/Polish life. I love how sutle Kiesloski makes his films, and the commentary by Annette Isendorf is probably the best feature on this DVD. Each film should be watched with the commentary at least once, you see so much more and make the repeated viewings all the more rewarding. Blanc is good too, mostly in Polish. Julie Delpy is gorgeous as the icy blonde femme-fatale who actually has real feelings that we see at the end of the film. Bleu is great too, I love how Juliette Binoche mixes into the crowded streets of a giant city like Paris. Although it could be New York, London, any place that you can seem anonymous. Some of the best scenes in the trilogy are when Juliette Binoche is daydreaming while listening to the streetman playing his flute as the wind blows on her, or Irene Jacob crying in her car as we see a view of Lac du Geneve. My favorite scene is probably at the end of Bleu where the concerto is being played and shows all the main character's faces, the soprano singing has a really effective mood altering quality, especially when it shows Emanuelle Riva's face when she dies or when it shows that boy turning his alarm clock off and holding that cross chain. All in all, these are really good films. But you may not think so if all you watch are the typical hollywood types that spoon-feed you everything. Trois Couleurs are three gems.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Marvellous
Review: The praise that most of the other reviewers heap upon this Trilogy is well-deserved. They are collectively a brilliant piece of film-making, and Blue and Red are exquisite on their own (White less so). As I struggled to understand the actions of Binoche's character, which aren't entirely explained, I realized that French audiences like having to wrestle with such questions--unlike American audiences, French audiences don't want things handed. Thus it is up to each viewer to decide why Binoche does what she does. My own opinion is that after the death of her husband and daughter, she no longer wants to want anything, and the film is the story of her gradual recovery of her desire. To correct a comment made by another reviewer, I think that White comes first. There is a scene in Blue that won't make complete sense unless you have seen White first. Also, unlike some of the reviewers, I think that White represent liberty, not equality. Issues of control and freedom are central to White, while Blue addresses the question of equality within relationships (although I can see why some would see Blue as being about freedom). Red is definitely about fraternity. If you like French cinema, purchase this collection. You won't be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your patience for something better
Review: I never understood why, of all slow-moving independent films, these three are so prized. They are so self-consciously full of little symbols pointing every which way that they feel more like a filmmaking exercise and less like a work of art. Yes, Kieslowski's skill and expertise are admirable. But in the end, even at the supposedly powerful concluding moment, it all rings somewhat academic and hollow. If you are looking for moving, patient filmmaking in French, try Jean de Florette instead.
Rating:
Summary: I hated these films.
Review: When I first saw these films, I hated them. I couldnt even get through them, I got bored. They are very slow and meandering. White was the only one that kept me interested. Because these movies are misunderstood, it will take time before he will be recognised in the future as one of the greatest directors of all time. I would liken him to the animator/writer/director of "Castle in the Sky". He wrote and directed the entire production. The key in why these are great are their subtlety. After watching the movie again with the commentary track, I realized all the numerous clues of symbolism, using light and reflection and angles and positioning and colors he uses to give hints and clues to the viewer in what seems a boring ordinary story of everyday life. He replicates images throughout the movie, and once it's pointed out, one sees the movie in and entirely different viewpoint. I totally missed most of them, and the true symbolism and themes which pervade the movies. I would have said pulp fiction was better too, but now I believe Red should've won the Cannes award that year, except there were too many dummies like me in the audience who just didnt get it. These movies are much more entertaining if you know what to look for. Truly masterpieces which will inspire cinema in years to come.
Rating:
Summary: yes go for it its my favorite film(s)
Review: oh my sheesh wow i mean really, this is the greatest film(s) you could ever see. I do not know what is better-- the directing or the cinematography, they are both quite breathtaking. this is the dvd version that we have all been waiting for, this will be the one to own until it comes out on a format superior to dvd.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most underrated trilogies ever!
Review: I first saw these films in a Media Class at my high school, and I loved these movies from start to finish. I often seen these movies on cable, such as on Bravo and Independent Film Channel, so I was excited when I found out that these movies would finally be released on DVD. The titles of these movies (Blue, White, and Red) each refer to the colors of the flag of France. All 3 movies have their own storyline, and they all come together at the very end of the 3rd movie, Red. It is very important that you watch all 3 movies in the proper order: Blue, White, and Red. You could probably switch Blue and White around, but regardless, save Red for last. I'll give a brief preview below... BLUE: This is the first movie of the trilogy. I kind of found this movie to be more on the boring side (which is why I gave the trilogy 4 stars instead of 5) but is still a very good movie, and the soundtrack is incredible. Now the title, Blue, represents liberty and freedom. The main character, Julie (Juliette Binoche), is the only survivor of a tradgic car accident which takes the lives of her husband and child. She is completely devestated, and begins to hide herself from the rest of the world. However, she soon begins to find out secrets of her husband (who was a famous composer) and is drawn back into the real world. WHITE: This is probably the least powerful of the 3 films, but it is really funny. It's more of a comedy. White represents equanity and equlaity. In other words, being even. In this movie, Karol (played by Zbigniew Zamachowski) plots to get revenge on his wife when she deserts him 6 months after they are married. So he begins his life anew, and while improving his life, he also plans to get his revenge. RED: Probably the best movie of the trilogy, in my opinion, and this was also the last movie that the late Krzysztof Kieslowski ever made.. Red symbolizes fraternity. This movie features a young model played by Irene Jacob who has her life changed when she accidently hits a dog with her car. The dog belongs to a retired lawyer who's past has a strange link to her future. At the end of the movie, an unlikely event brings together all of the main characters from all 3 movies, which is a well done and fitting way to end the trilogy. In addition, the DVD's come packed with tons of extra features, including many interviews and commentary. If you are a true movie fan, this is a must own for your collection!
Rating:
Summary: 3 films for different moods
Review: This collection presents three excellent films for different moods. Blue is about death, grieving, and transcending tragedy. White is a sort of dark comedy about love. Red is about the needs we all share as human beings. The trilogy manages the difficult trick of being, in the end, upbeat without being phony or cloyingly sentimental or simply (the usual) plugging in some off-the-shelf "happy ending", the way American films usually do.
Rating:
Summary: Must be seen, preferably in order (Blue, White, then Red)
Review: If you call yourself a movie-lover and haven't already seen Kieslowski's trilogy, you should immediately buy this boxed set and plan an extended viewing session. "Blue" is the masterpiece of the bunch; the concept of being "liberated" (and "liberated from" somebody) is examined and Juliette Binoche is incredible. If you only remember her from "The English Patient," well you'll certainly be in for a treat. "White" would almost define dramatic irony - if it weren't also so funny. Never stop wishing and be careful what you wish for - in equal measure. And "Red" shows that the connections we humans choose to have (and choose not to make) can be both curious and absolutely vital. After you've memorized these films, you can start looking for cameos.
|
