'Holy Motors' & 'Lincoln' Reviews

Holy Motors is a french film about an actor. Mr. Oscar played by Denis Levant is ferried by white limousine between 11 different 'appointments' for each of which he plays a different part. From motion-capture artist to deranged leprechaun to dying father. Levant's performance is absolutely memorizing from frame one. He embodies completely and convincing every form he takes. When he is just himself there is a blankness about him which is equally if not the most compelling. The transformative effort of his performance is stunning.

This is the most interesting narrative film I have seen all year. The concept grabs you, the acting hooks you, and the story leaves you wanting more. The film is very self referential and referential to film in general. The way the film is framed is somewhat unconventional and there are bizarre moments but it only heightens the impact of it.

There are some small problems like a scene where the premise of the film is explained, unnecessarily, about 2/3 of the way through. The ending as well is somewhat unsatisfying and absurd but doesn't spoil the feeling you take away.

My favorite section of the film was a musical interlude with about ten accordions. The film is fun, makes you think, and answers about as many questions as it raises.

Don't Miss It.

Lincoln is a struggle between two incomplete films. It can't decide if it's a historical epic or a character study. Daniel Day-Lewis's performance as Lincoln is amazing and the way he relates to regular citizens, his family, and his fellow politicians is engaging to watch. The parts of the film that work are the smaller moments. The moments where we see the day to day operation of the presidency and how politics could have been conducted in that time. Negotiations, bargains, lobbying. The parts of the film that didn't work were all the "broad epic" stuff. Music swelling, lines like "This will go down in history", and the reciting of the Gettysburg address by soldiers to Lincoln. There was a lot of fat in the film that could have been cut(Joseph Gordon-Levitt) which wasn't. There was no need to have a running time over two hours.

Over-all lots of hits, lots of misses. Maybe Spielberg is too big for anyone to actually criticize him anymore.

Rent It.