Criticism of ‘Scarlet’, a breath of romanticism

The raw material of this film (a story that begins in 1919 and extends over 20 years, according to a novel by the Russian writer Aleksandr Grin written exactly a century ago), in the hands of a David Lean It would give for a lavish blockbuster of three and a half hours. Pietro Marcello simplifies it with forceful ellipses that account for the passage of time through the growth of a girl until she reaches the age of majority.

The first part focuses on the figure of the father, a huge character (played by Raphaël Thiéry, with powerful features, between Emir Kusturica and John C. Reilly), and has a realistic tone and rough image texture, reminiscent of Andrzej Wajda from the 70s. In the second, the daughter takes center stage and the film takes on another register, that of a fairy tale with a prince charming fallen from heaven, a touch of magic, musical insertions à la Jacques Demy and a country air. of Renoirian roots. The result is an exhilarating and absorbing amphibian film, shot through with serene romanticism and wild poetry.

For devotees of great novels with a breath of romance

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DATA SHEET

Address: Pietro Marcello Distribution: Raphaël Thierry, Juliette Jouan, Louis Garrel, Noémie Lvovsky Country: France Year: 2023 Release date: 14–4-2023 Gender: Drama Script: Pietro Marcello, Maurizio Braucci, Maud Ameline, Genevieve Brisac Duration: 100 min.

Synopsis: Juliette grew up alone with her father Raphaël in the north of France. He a World War I veteran. The girl, passionate about singing and music, meets a magician one summer who promises that some scarlet sails will one day take her out of her town. Juliette never stopped believing in this prophecy.