Providence [VHS]
by Alain Resnais

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Category: VHS Video
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VHS Movie Reviews of Providence [VHS]

Movie Review: My DVD collection isn't complete!...
Summary: 5 Stars

Movie Review: One more vote for a DVD release of this tremendous film.
Summary: 5 Stars

Movie Review: This Masterwork deserves a DVD release
Summary: 5 Stars

This unique film possesses some of the most alive English language dialogue to ever hit the screen. Incorporated within the stream of consciousness visuals of master French director Alain Resnais (his first work in English), this film, written by playwright David Mercer, delivers the audience into the mind of a dying and somewhat bitter author (Sir John Gielgud) as he attempts to write one last work of fiction through a painful and sleepless night of rectal pain, albeit increasingly under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. As his minds clouds, his script becomes confused, often with comedic effect.

While sad, bitter sweet, moving and often serious, this film possesses wonderful humor. The recurring images of the "famous footballer" (David Warner), Ellen Burstyn's slicing of a phallic-shaped vegetable while accusing her husband of infidelity and the delivery of Dirk Bogard's pithy lines all conspire to amuse even the most jaded moviegoer. If you don't like a certain scene, be patient, the director/author will take another whack at it - usually with a subtle visual twist.

This is one film worth watching more than once. In fact, you will want to watch it more than once to see what you missed previously.

This masterwork seriously deserves to be re-released as a DVD.

Movie Review: This Masterwork deserves a DVD release
Summary: 5 Stars

This unique film possesses some of the most alive English language dialogue to ever hit the screen. Incorporated within the stream of consciousness visuals of master French director Alain Resnais (his first work in English), this film, written by playwright David Mercer, delivers the audience into the mind of a dying and somewhat bitter author (Sir John Gielgud) as he attempts to write one last work of fiction through a painful and sleepless night of rectal pain, albeit increasingly under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. As his minds clouds, his script becomes confused, often with comedic effect.

While sad, bitter sweet, moving and often serious, this film possesses wonderful humor. The recurring images of the "famous footballer" (David Warner), Ellen Burstyn's slicing of a phallic-shaped vegetable while accusing her husband of infidelity and the delivery of Dirk Bogard's pithy lines all conspire to amuse even the most jaded moviegoer. If you don't like a certain scene, be patient, the director/author will take another whack at it - usually with a subtle visual twist.

This is one film worth watching more than once. In fact, you will want to watch it more than once to see what you missed previously.

This masterwork seriously deserves to be re-released as a DVD.

Movie Review: CONSCIENCENESS.......
Summary: 3 Stars

Dying Author John Gielgud reflects with guilt on his long life, which includes the suicide of his wife [Elaine Stritch]as welll as other moments of regret.

NOT a depressing work, it's a thoughtful moving moody study of this man and his family. It's a sad work, that has to be visited and revisited, encompassing a grand score by Miklos Rosa, and those unique Resnais touches [the frozen sea in frame, but we hear waves crashing!] - when you recall with specific focus a moment [real and animated]but its surrounded by an immobile, frozen landscape [like "Last Year at Marienbad" an earlier and more satisfying work].

The rest of the ensemble? Ellen Burstyn, Dirk Bogarde [always spectacular, always taking risks] and David Warner [the werewolf?].

Elegant and thought-provoking this work deserves a proper DVD restoration.

Also see "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" - excellent companion.

French New Wave Video

• Genres > Art House & International > By Country > France
• Drama