Historical Drama Captures Poignant Love Tale

Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Amour Fou
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Genre: Comedy, Drama
Year Released: 2014
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Jessica Hausner
Writer(s): Jessica Hausner, Géraldine Bajard
Cast: Christian Friedel, Stephan Grossmann, Katharina Schüttler, Hana Sofia Lopes, Eva-Maria Kurz, Sandra Hüller, Gustav Peter Wöhler, Peter Jordan, Alissa Wilms
Where To Watch: now streaming on Film Movement www.filmmovement.com

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping back into the turbulent era of early 19th-century Berlin, Jessica Hausner's AMOUR FOU explores love teetering on the brink of despair. This film not only captures the tragic narrative of Heinrich (Christian Friedel) but also ties in a profoundly moving love story set against the stark realities of its time. Right from the start, Hausner hooks us with a narrative that is as visually captivating as it is emotionally stirring. While this is another solid out from Hausner, it’s probably my least favorite (with only one film to go.)

Opening with a scene as poignant as it is picturesque, AMOUR FOU sets its narrative tone with Henriette (Birte Schnöink) veiled behind vivid yellow flowers, signaling the profound transformation ahead. This early scene, ripe with symbolism, lays the groundwork for a story deeply rooted in themes of mortality and forbidden romance, confined by the societal norms of their time.

Hausner, renowned for her sharp directorial acumen, reconstructs the Weimar Classicism and Romanticism era. Her commitment to authenticity shines through in the film's archaic yet still robust dialogue, potentially challenging for today's audience but undoubtedly enhancing the film’s period atmosphere.

As the story unfolds, we dive deeper into the complex dynamics between Heinrich and Henriette. Henriette finds herself increasingly drawn into Heinrich’s dark, obsessive world. Their burgeoning relationship, shifting from the stifling interiors to the liberating expanses of the beautiful countryside, is portrayed through carefully composed static shots highlighting the stark contrast between their confinement and newfound freedom.

Despite its artistic achievements, AMOUR FOU regularly struggled with its pacing. The film's deliberate tempo and structured shots reflect the emotional and societal constraints binding the characters, contributing to an atmosphere that can feel as suffocating as the settings themselves. Nevertheless, the performances, especially Friedel’s compelling portrayal of Heinrich, inject depth and complexity into the narrative.

The lavish and oppressive settings in AMOUR FOU serve as a critical commentary on bourgeois society post-French Revolution, making the set design as vital to the film as the story itself. Nestled in luxurious yet repressive environments, the characters mirror the revolutionary undercurrents that struggle to breach their sheltered existences. This context allows for exploring a society teetering between the remnants of aristocratic rigidity and the dawn of modernity.

Hausner’s direction critiques the period’s artistic and social conventions while nodding to their enduring influence. Each meticulously crafted frame and line of dialogue demands the viewer's engagement, showcasing Hausner’s ability to combine traditional narratives with innovative cinematic techniques.

AMOUR FOU distinguishes itself with an ambitious artistic vision that probes deeply into love, death, freedom, and oppression—all viewed through the prism of historical events that echo into the present. The film is more than just a history lesson; it is an invitation to experience the intense emotions and societal upheavals of a bygone era. This film compels its audience to feel the impacts of its narrative, marrying the dark allure of romanticized despair with the dynamic shifts of a society in flux. It’s a cinematic endeavor that challenges viewers to peer beyond the surface and engage with history on a deeply emotional level.

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[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT]

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