By Roger Costa
RIMINI
Once a prolific singer and performer, Richie Bravo now spends his days doing small gigs for tourists at the wintry Italian seaside town of the title, charging to have sex with some equally aged ladies, and drinking his money away. His estranged daughter suddenly arrives, asking for the money he never provided, changing the course of his ideal and quiet routine.
Austrian notorious provocateur, Ulrich Seidl, the internationally filmmaker behind “Dog Days” and the “Paradise” trilogy, returns to the bohemian field he loves to explore, composing an acid, funny, dry and utterly heartbreaking look at living in the shadows of the past while trying to secure a future.
Narrated as a parody about a fading star and his attempts to maintain the appearances alive, Michael Thomas gives life to this unforgettable character, constantly observed from a distant level by the precise camera, as he walks the fog, crosses paths with dozens of refugees, resembling a vampire wandering a dead zone, an alcoholic Nosferatu, or even just a stray, lonely and desperate dog looking for food, affection, recognition and sex. His performance is honest, unashamed and touching. As the director follows him through his descending journey, displaying his usual characteristics (natural lights, long shots, explicit sex, contemplative moments, shocking aspects of human condition), Thomas dominates every scene with a strangely irresistible charisma. Perhaps because it’s obvious the reasons moving him around, which creates an instant affection and empathy to him, despite his moral misbehavior: he charges for sex in order to pay for his addictions, but in fact he does so, to fulfill his loneliness, uncertainty and the fear of not seeing tomorrow; he continues to perform because he cares for his fans and despite his decadent condition, he is still working to leave a decent legacy, a honorable contribution to entertainment; and as for his daughter, he does not have enough money to cover her needs, but insists on such, just because he needs a chance to reconcile with her and redeem himself. Thomas pulls out all the cards delivering a masterwork of complex acting, one of those rare cases when the performance sticks with you for days. A unique and provocative experience that only Seidl could’ve done so well.
(Big World Pictures. 3/17. Quad Cinema.)
ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT?
An official selection at Cannes, Chinese director Wen Shipei’s astonishing debut is easily one of this year’s best surprises, an impressive noir thriller that keeps you glued to the screen. The life of a humble repairman turns upside down when he accidentally runs over a man and flees the scene. A bizarre coincidence brings he and the victim’s wife together, forming a special, dangerous and ambiguous bond. As both struggle with guilt, resentment and vulnerable desires, as well as avoiding some merciless gangsters with-unfinished-business, Shipei unveils an enigmatic mind-bending puzzle giving out the clues through its many, contemplative and bloodshed twists. Influenced by Scorsese, Tarantino and Nicolas Winding Refn, the first-time director certainly proves to be a major visionary, one of his generation’s most promising filmmakers, demonstrating complete commitment and engagement to his project: the propulsive soundtrack, the exuberant editing, the way he coordinates the amazing, charismatic and convincing cast, and most importantly, his fascinating sense of visual. Using neon lights, red, saturated and dark colors to compose this exquisite thriller, he scores one of most gorgeously shot films ever made. You just can’t take you eyes away from the frame as it burns so passionately and infuriatingly, pouring down the essence of visual style, and offering the viewer an amazing, eye-stunned experience. There’s a street brawl scene that feels like soaking the seat with blood. There’s subtlety, sensuality, crazy assassins, a handsome antihero and a strong female leading lady. The result is a five-star, smart and elegant, bloody and intriguing, outstanding socioeconomic thriller.
(Film Movement. 3/17. On VOD. Go to https://filmmovement.com/are-you-lonesome-tonight for details.)
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