Camille Claudel

Rating:
Summary: portrait of the artist as young woman
Review: This is a really stirring portrayal of an underappreciated French sculptress named Camille Claudel. This student of Rodin had a passion and brilliance all her own. This film provides a good overview of her development as an artist and her relationship with August Rodin. Rodin is flawlessly portrayed by Gerald Depardieu. Camille Claudel is played by the hauntingly beautiful Isabelle Adjani. Their relationship transcends teacher-student and they become lovers. This, of course, is scandalous even by French standards. The film tends to be sympathetic (and justly so) to Claudel as she struggles to emerge with her own artistic identity and balance her love for an increasingly jealous Rodin. It is tragic to view the obstacles faced by this gifted young woman but it is also inspiring that she continued to follow the muse in spite of any obstacle.

Rating:
Summary: Crazy is as crazy does.
Review: This is a very slow and very methodical film that will defiantly put you to sleep before it sparks any insightful conversation.

Skip it at all costs.

Please, for the safety of others, do not watch this film. If by sheer chance you do pick up this film and you have not realized it, call HAZMAT immediately. Let them know that you have seen or are holding this film and you will need an amputation immediately. Keep your hand in cool water, and wait with a bottle of anything until the paramedics arrive. I promise, it will be all over soon!

Grade: * out of *****

Rating:
Summary: Camille pour toujours!
Review: This movie is wonderful, its my favorite French movie of all time! Adjani does a wonderful job of portraying Camille and Depardieu is a great Rodin. The movie makes a person think about their relationships with other people and just how important they can be, sometimes you can love a person to the point of insanity. Then when they leave, your entire world is turned upside down. Camille is obviously a better sculptor than Rodin, who seemingly uses her talents for his benefits, then casts her aside as if she is nothing. The overall tone of the movie is sad, but Camille Claudel can be seen as a role model for anyone who was ever in love and the lesson to be learned from her life is never to love someone so much that it ruins you.

Rating:
Summary: Profoundly sincere, superb acting, and hauntingly beautiful!
Review: While the movie portrays a bittersweet story of two great sculptors and their relationship, it is to me essentially a story about the creation of art as a process. The performances given by Depardieu and Adjani were superb and sincere. The images realized within the film are hauntingly beautiful. The cinematography sophicated. The only regret is that the film is currently only available on VHS format. I'm hoping that the film will be made available on DVD format so that I could purchase it for years to come.