As "The Beast" (2023 release from France) opens, we are introduced to Gabrielle, who is at an early 20th century party and while looking for her husband George, she ends up meeting Louis. We then go to "2044" and Gabrielle is being talked into cleaning her DNA from all feelings... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from French writer-producer-director Bertrand Bonello, best known here in the US for his biopic "Saint Laurent". Here he explores what a world with cleansed feelings might look like. It takes a while to fully understand what is happening, as the movie jumps back-and-forth between 1920, 2044 and 2014. But once the movie finds its groove, this becomes must-see. The movie is helped immensely by the strong lead performance of Lea Seydoux as Gabrielle. Please note that the screen ratio changes often throughout the movie. And then this: when the film ends and fades to black, I was expecting the end credits. Instead, the screen showed a QR code, with the tagline: Credits: Scan Me. First time I've seen this in a theatrical release...
"The Beast" premiered at last Fall's Venice Film Festival to good critical acclaim. The movie is currently rated 85% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. I saw the movie at my local arthouse theater here in Cincinnati this past Sunday. The early evening screening was attended so-so (I counted about 10 people). If you are in the mood for a time-warped psychological drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from French writer-producer-director Bertrand Bonello, best known here in the US for his biopic "Saint Laurent". Here he explores what a world with cleansed feelings might look like. It takes a while to fully understand what is happening, as the movie jumps back-and-forth between 1920, 2044 and 2014. But once the movie finds its groove, this becomes must-see. The movie is helped immensely by the strong lead performance of Lea Seydoux as Gabrielle. Please note that the screen ratio changes often throughout the movie. And then this: when the film ends and fades to black, I was expecting the end credits. Instead, the screen showed a QR code, with the tagline: Credits: Scan Me. First time I've seen this in a theatrical release...
"The Beast" premiered at last Fall's Venice Film Festival to good critical acclaim. The movie is currently rated 85% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. I saw the movie at my local arthouse theater here in Cincinnati this past Sunday. The early evening screening was attended so-so (I counted about 10 people). If you are in the mood for a time-warped psychological drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.