Dull Guy, Lives Alone
Markus Schleinzer's Michael, a "somewhat chilly, jewel-precise" study of an Austrian child molester, "is the absolute best film I've seen at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival so far," I wrote on 5.14.11. "It isn't pleasant to watch, but it's briliiant -- emotionally suppressed in a correct way that blends with the protagonist, and aesthetically disciplined and close to spellbinding."
Michael will play at Manhattan's Film Forum from 2.15 through 2.28. An absolute must-see, if only to get into the argument.
I wrote the following reply to a Glenn Kenny post on 5.14: "Those who wrote or implied that Michael is 'Haneke-Lite... sadistic sucker bait for rubes who can't distinguish faux art film from real' are playing a familiar game...they find a film emotionally discomforting so they resort to the default dweeb putdown -- i.e., you're just not smart or educated enough to understand what a sucker you are. I've seen Michael & I know what it really is, and what astonishing & stunning bullshit this is from the 'pallies' who are using the elitist line."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 2, 2012 at 8:37 AM
comment #1
FlashDust
says ...
Haha, the child molester movie is brilliant while the Belgian bull with no balls movie is abhorrent.
Clearly no one will ever be smart or educated enough to understand.
Posted by FlashDust
at February 2, 2012 9:04 AM
comment #2
Glenn Kenny
says ...
Guess it all depends on which garage you park your car in...no, wait, that CAN'T be right...
Posted by Glenn Kenny
at February 2, 2012 9:12 AM
comment #3
LexG
says ...
DeeZee says, "So basically it's Running Scared crossed with Pieces of April?"
Looks uplifting. Would be cooler if he had like a hot 18 year old Bosnian war orphan female in that room or some Eastern Euro chick like the Cingular Umbrella Girl on that episode of 24 where she was some old guy's sex slave.
Posted by LexG
at February 2, 2012 10:51 AM
comment #4
kingofnails
says ...
I'm on board with Jeff on this one. It's an exercise in minimalist tension that I liked a whole lot. Denouement is a kick in the teeth.
Posted by kingofnails
at February 2, 2012 11:23 AM
comment #5
clownpenis.fart
says ...
Wait.....is that really Ben Curtis? Wow, he looks totally different (really pulling a Theron from "Monster")
Posted by clownpenis.fart
at February 2, 2012 11:43 AM
comment #6
FlashDust
says ...
Kingofnails and Jeff,
Do you know this has been done by Chantal Akerman over and over again in so many superior ways?
If not, then check out one of the finest of French auteurs in recent memory.
Posted by FlashDust
at February 2, 2012 11:44 AM
comment #7
AnnaZed
says ...
That is not Ben Curtis, it's someone named Michael Fuith.
[maybe you were making a funny, I dunno]
Posted by AnnaZed
at February 2, 2012 12:36 PM
comment #8
The Hoyk
says ...
Noticed that you plug the NY engagement and not the upcoming LA engagement at CineFamily, 2/16 - 2/23.
http://www.cinefamily.org/films/michael-one-week-run/
Posted by The Hoyk
at February 2, 2012 2:37 PM
comment #9
Gabriel
says ...
Chantal Akerman is Belgian.
Posted by Gabriel
at February 2, 2012 2:46 PM
comment #10
FlashDust
says ...
I was waiting for that neanderthal comment the moment I wrote it.
French is also a language.
When she make a film in Dutch, German,or Flemish then tell me.
Posted by FlashDust
at February 2, 2012 3:52 PM
comment #11
kingofnails
says ...
Eh, originality is overrated. Haven't you seen CERTIFIED COPY? It's one criteria among many in evaluating a work.
Posted by kingofnails
at February 2, 2012 4:07 PM
comment #12
Gabriel
says ...
FlashDust, I don't think you know what "neanderthal" means. Have you ever suggested that someone check out Spanish auteur Alfonso Cuaron? Are you anxiously awaiting "Django Unchained", the latest from English auteur Quentin Tarantino?
Posted by Gabriel
at February 2, 2012 5:23 PM
comment #13
YND
says ...
Yeah, Michael Haneke fans have a really tough time with films they find "emotionally discomforting".
Posted by YND
at February 2, 2012 5:31 PM
comment #14
Glenn Kenny
says ...
Hey, "Les rendez-vous d'Anna" is largely in German!
Posted by Glenn Kenny
at February 2, 2012 8:16 PM
comment #15
Barnes78
says ...
This film reminds me of the dust up around Victor Salva during his run with "Powder" and the "Jeepers Creepers" movies. Here was a guy who had spent time in jail for...it was either molesting a child or exposing himself to a child or both. And, when you watch any of his films, you can't help but notice the leering gaze his camera holds. This isn't a judgement post or one calling for a boycott, but one to, hopefully, stir some conversation around the need for films with such a gaze. I haven't seen "Michael" so I can't speak for that film directly but the storyline alone is worth discussing. I'm genuinely curious as to the thoughts...what purpose is there in narratives of this nature? Granted, depending on the age of the youth, a lot of society's willingness to accept or tolerate such projects will depend on the nature of the sexuality involved. All the same, it's a curious topic that's, I feel, worth discussing. Respectfully.
Posted by Barnes78
at February 2, 2012 8:33 PM
comment #16
sepeda motor injeksi irit harga terbaik cuma honda
says ...
I really do not like this movie
Posted by sepeda motor injeksi irit harga terbaik cuma honda
at May 18, 2012 9:25 AM