Enora Maurer

United States
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis (Reynolds), Lesley Manville (Cyril), Vicky Krieps (Alma)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Running time: 130 minutes

I watched this movie during the Festival cinéma Télérama, which runs popular movies from the year before, often in small and old Parisian cinemas. So I went to the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema, which was very crowded, mostly with old people, as they are fortunate enough to have free time to enjoy themselves during the afternoon (as do students during winter break). The atmosphere was a little tense/weird, though (or I guess just un-swiss), as everybody was complaining the big heads in front of them would prevent them from seeing the subtitles, so everyone asked the person in front of them to „please, sink more deeply in their seats“. Once everybody was settled and the occasional grumbling at late arrivals had ceased, I started getting gripped by the movie.

I found Reynolds‘ personality both fascinating and appalling; he has a very strong character, is self-absorbed and easily unnerved. In fact, he is so easily unnerved that it makes it almost impossible for him to have relationships other than with his comprehensive sister Cyril, of whom he seems to be most fond. Yet, Alma falls under his spell, becomes his muse and they soon after become a couple. For me, this movie is about two strong persons who seem incompatible for each other, yet somehow still need each other and thus find a way (if rather a strange one) to make their relationship work for each other.

Moreover, I really enjoyed the music in the film. Granted, I was very tired and had a bit of a cold (like everyone in Paris at the moment), so this might also be a reason why I was so taken with the classical music that felt very soothing to me, but it was nominated for Best Original Score in the Oscars 2017, so it’s definitely not just the cold. I also liked the decor and the costumes, for which the film won Best Costume Design.

All in all, I am very glad they replayed the movie in theatres and that I got to see it. It certainly provides food for thought, is entertaining and nice to watch.