Eva

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT DVD for a very interesting film.
Review: For anyone who has seen "The Servant" or any other of Joseph Losey's films, Eva is a must-see. Losey is at his most playful while still delving into the "Loseyesque" level of emotion on proud display in the brilliant "The Servant", his most famous. Jeanne Moreau is simply fabulous and an absolute treat to watch--easily the highlight of the film. The other remarkable issue is how frank the sexuality is. Some of the scenes actually play quite shockingly, even though there is minimal nudity and they play off different standards of the day. The disc comes with 2 versions of the film, a theatrical release and a director's cut which is 15 minutes longer. The transfer for the theatrical release is as good as you can hope for. Very nice. The director's cut poses a problem, but not where the DVD is concerned. The only print in existence is one with Swedish subtitles, so it detracts from the film. Most of the film is in English, but there is some important scenes in Italian, so in this version you don't know what the characters are saying. What I recommend is watching the theatrical cut, then skimming through the director's cut to see the differences--apparently, Losey wasn't happy with the theatrical cut at all, so it's nice that Kino at least included both so we get a rare look into the mind of a cinematic genius.

Rating:
Summary: ........MORE about EVE ...... OR RATHER
Review: For anyone who has seen "The Servant" or any other of Joseph Losey's films, Eva is a must-see. Losey is at his most playful while still delving into the "Loseyesque" level of emotion on proud display in the brilliant "The Servant", his most famous. Jeanne Moreau is simply fabulous and an absolute treat to watch--easily the highlight of the film. The other remarkable issue is how frank the sexuality is. Some of the scenes actually play quite shockingly, even though there is minimal nudity and they play off different standards of the day. The disc comes with 2 versions of the film, a theatrical release and a director's cut which is 15 minutes longer. The transfer for the theatrical release is as good as you can hope for. Very nice. The director's cut poses a problem, but not where the DVD is concerned. The only print in existence is one with Swedish subtitles, so it detracts from the film. Most of the film is in English, but there is some important scenes in Italian, so in this version you don't know what the characters are saying. What I recommend is watching the theatrical cut, then skimming through the director's cut to see the differences--apparently, Losey wasn't happy with the theatrical cut at all, so it's nice that Kino at least included both so we get a rare look into the mind of a cinematic genius.

Rating:
Summary: ........MORE about EVE ...... OR RATHER
Review: LILITH? [Mrs. Adam # 1?]... yes, she is probably just a little too cold - with her Billie Holiday Records, her haute coutoure, those delightful pointy shoes and perky poitrines, and the ever-present cigarette dangling from those sensuous, disapproving lips and the tired eyes ...... Oh, yeah, this dame has it in for both sexes and totally annihilates our brawny hero, the very overlooked Stanley Baker - this time the ex-Welsh coalminer [another sordid story] turned screenwriter - in of all places Italy, complete with a devoted, virginal and stunning VIRNA LISI as the mutual love-interest.

In many ways this one ranks with the later "Last Tango In Paris", "NightPorter", "Crimes of Passion" etc .... but the 'err, 'deed' is never done here, instead we experience magnificent villa interiors, great photography of Rome [early morning] and not forgetting the spectral vapourousness of beloved Venice ...... dreamy or nightmarish?

Highpoints? Moreau alone in her flat with her records, booze and cat ....Baker leaving a wedding party for the nightmarish tryst with Moreau, and naturally Baker ala buff in Moreau's bedroom being rejected and humiliated ....

Great stuff!

Downpoint - those damn subtitles in the extended version - like watching Ingmar Bergman backwards!

BUT, Bravo Kino - a Perfect find!

[Interesting to muse how MELINA MECOURI would have tacked 'Eve"]