White[1994] The second chapter in Krzysztof Kieślowski's "Three Colors" Trilogy. Karol Karol (Or Charlie Charlie in English, a reference to Chaplin's Tramp character) is a man who is down on his luck. Due to his impotence his wife is divorcing him. Stripped of all money, property, identification and dignity, Karol escapes from Paris to his native Poland where he sets out starting a new life and begins planning his revenge on his ex-wife.
The theme of equality matches the title color, and as with the rest of the trilogy is explored on several levels. On the surface White is a revenge film. Karol is humiliated, and he wants to get revenge. Revenge is taking his ex-wife down to his level, making her equal to him. In another sense the equality is shown in a totally new light in the last scene of the film. Without spoiling the movie, it brings a new perspective on equality as a theme in the film. As always there are the usual Kieślowski motifs, such as unreferenced flash forwards and the concept of rebirth. In each one of the films in the trilogy, there is a rebirth of a character, where they are brought to the point where they might as well be dead, but are brought back from the brink and are seen in a new light. These little touches are part of what connects the films and make them such wonderful experiences.
Out of the three films, 'White' is the least visually stunning. While still a good looking film, it doesn't carry the same pop as the others. Perhaps it's because White is a harder to color to blend into scenes, but the color seemed less prominently featured. I feel that White isn't as strong visually or thematically, but the most interesting plot wise. It has the most cohesive story arch with enough comedy contained that its probably the most enjoyable film on the surface.
Rating: 5/5
Red[1994] The final and most magnificent in a breathtaking trilogy, 'Red' is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The third color deals with the theme of Fraternity. Irčne Jacob plays Valentine, an almost impossibly kind, goodnatured, woman who meets the antitheses of herself in a retired, Gregory House-type judge who spies on his neighbors. There is something magical about the way the film unfolds, where the Valentine's warmth sucks you in investing you in the outcome of her life. The theme is explored primarily in the relationship between Valentine and the judge, who develop a close, but platonic relationship. As a sub-thread throughout is the idea of predestination, and whether there is more than just blind luck driving our lives. What makes this film, as well as the trilogy, is the sheer brilliance of Kieślowski at making every scene intricate and important. There is not a scene wasted here, and every scene is beautiful in its own right. What makes this the best of three is the cinematography, which is easily some of the best I've seen. The way the camera moves tells its own story and the colors are intoxicating. The audio commentary kept bringing up connections between this and another brilliantly shot film, The Conformist. Like the Conformist, every shot is set up like a painting, with so much care and thought going into how they can force as much meaning out of every scene. Red is an inspired, stunning and nearly perfect film in every sense.
Rating: 5/5
This was my second (and then third) viewing of Red. My original review from a year ago can be read
here.