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Le Escort (1999) -A FilmInk review
A FilmInk DVD Review By John Doe
Le Escort
This review appears in the October 2006 issue of FilmInk. Available at newsagents NOW.
Bonjour fellow moving picture fans,
The inclusion of FilmInk reviews is not part of my blog-mission of introducing visitors to some under-discussed gems, cult classics and ignored delights of cinema.
That’s right, Mister Doe must sweat and strain, biting his tongue to work under the shackles of objectivity to make a buck.
(Old Johnny boy usually delivers denouncements from up on high and states completely subjective opinions, like he was God speaking to Moses. God is a smart-ass, right?)
Now on with the sanctioned nit picking-
DVD Cover-Available Now
Title: The Escort aka Mauvaise Passe
Year: 1999
Rating: TBC
Genre: Drama
Director: Michel Blanc
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Stuart Townsend, Liza Walker, Noah Taylor, Frances Barber, Claire Skinner, Beatrice Agenin, Keith Allen, Peter Mullan
Distributor: Madman
Available: 26 July 2006
The Film: ****/*****
Actor and sometimes Writer/Director Michel Blanc’s new film examines the fragile male ego and how sex and desire play a large part in how we see our own self image. At its heart it’s the tale of an insecure, inexperienced man who surrenders to temptation and pays the price.
At 45 Literary Lecturer Pierre (Daniel Auteuil) has led, “A life with out risk, Without fun.” Unhappily married with a son that’s a stranger, he is a foreign man in a foreign land, his own life.
Attempting to flee his mid life crisis Pierre is in London with hopes to write his first novel and as the cliché goes, “Find himself”. Enter (Stuart Townsend) a charismatic male escort who leads the shy, confused Pierre into a world where companionship is a loveless commodity. After a rocky start into his new vocation it isn’t long before it begins to define him.
The performances here are all exceptional with a real eye for subtle detail. Daniel Auteuil transforms from mild, meek and insecure to arrogant, selfish and destructive with convincing versatility. While Stuart Townsend has a real presence, and makes his character immensely watchable.
The carefully framed cinematography is thoughtfully lensed and displays a striking use of colour, while the well drawn dialogue gives the film a strong sense of realism and keen intelligence.
Year: 1999
Rating: TBC
Genre: Drama
Director: Michel Blanc
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Stuart Townsend, Liza Walker, Noah Taylor, Frances Barber, Claire Skinner, Beatrice Agenin, Keith Allen, Peter Mullan
Available: 26 July 2006
The Film: ****/*****
Actor and sometimes Writer/Director Michel Blanc’s new film examines the fragile male ego and how sex and desire play a large part in how we see our own self image. At its heart it’s the tale of an insecure, inexperienced man who surrenders to temptation and pays the price.
At 45 Literary Lecturer Pierre (Daniel Auteuil) has led, “A life with out risk, Without fun.” Unhappily married with a son that’s a stranger, he is a foreign man in a foreign land, his own life.
Attempting to flee his mid life crisis Pierre is in London with hopes to write his first novel and as the cliché goes, “Find himself”. Enter (Stuart Townsend) a charismatic male escort who leads the shy, confused Pierre into a world where companionship is a loveless commodity. After a rocky start into his new vocation it isn’t long before it begins to define him.
The performances here are all exceptional with a real eye for subtle detail. Daniel Auteuil transforms from mild, meek and insecure to arrogant, selfish and destructive with convincing versatility. While Stuart Townsend has a real presence, and makes his character immensely watchable.
The carefully framed cinematography is thoughtfully lensed and displays a striking use of colour, while the well drawn dialogue gives the film a strong sense of realism and keen intelligence.
John Doe says:
This is the last of my published FilmInk reviews for this month,
The Escort is the only one Id recommend. more to come in 30 days.
Stay tuned Monday when I return to my own agenda and promote the films I love.
Thank You for visiting.
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