Youth Without Youth
Youth Without Youth is Francis Ford Coppola's first film in ten years. And it is a very original film indeed. It is based on a story by Romanian writer Mircea Eliade.
The film starts off with Dominic Matei (Tim Roth) walking through the streets of Bucharest. He is an intellectual who is obsessed with the origin of language. After he puts up his umbrella he is struck by lightning. But he not only survives but becomes young (he is 70 but he becomes a man of 40). While recovering he thinks about his long lost love Laura (Alexandra Maria Lara) who left him because of his obsession with work. His primary doctor Professor Stanciulescu (Bruno Ganz) publishes articles about him and too many unsavory people have an interest in him - especially the Nazis. At some point Dominic disappears and takes on another identity. Oh, Dominic has a double that tells him what to do.
Dominic spends many years keeping to himself. But one day he meets a woman named Veronica (Lara) and a friend. He gives them directions but when he tries to pursue them he finds that they were struck by lightning. The friend is dead and Veronica is in a trance. She claims to be an Indian woman named Rupini. She may also be the reincarnation of the long dead Laura.
Well, that is all I will say about this film. It is quite complex. It is esoteric, metaphysical and deals with spirituality, memory and reincarnation among other things. It is not a commercial film. In fact, it seems that so far most critics do not like it. Well, I can tell you that I did. I found it fascinating. But it is too complicated for the average filmgoer.
Coppola shows that he still has his director's flair. And I am glad that he is able to make these small, interesting films. Roth, Lara and Ganz are all wonderful. And the film looks beautiful.
I attended a screening where Coppola spoke a bit and introduced the film. Afterwards Roth, Lara and editor Murch answered questions.
I am the first to admit that this film is not for everyone. But if you like films that explore some of life's mysteries then Youth Without Youth is for you.
The film starts off with Dominic Matei (Tim Roth) walking through the streets of Bucharest. He is an intellectual who is obsessed with the origin of language. After he puts up his umbrella he is struck by lightning. But he not only survives but becomes young (he is 70 but he becomes a man of 40). While recovering he thinks about his long lost love Laura (Alexandra Maria Lara) who left him because of his obsession with work. His primary doctor Professor Stanciulescu (Bruno Ganz) publishes articles about him and too many unsavory people have an interest in him - especially the Nazis. At some point Dominic disappears and takes on another identity. Oh, Dominic has a double that tells him what to do.
Dominic spends many years keeping to himself. But one day he meets a woman named Veronica (Lara) and a friend. He gives them directions but when he tries to pursue them he finds that they were struck by lightning. The friend is dead and Veronica is in a trance. She claims to be an Indian woman named Rupini. She may also be the reincarnation of the long dead Laura.
Well, that is all I will say about this film. It is quite complex. It is esoteric, metaphysical and deals with spirituality, memory and reincarnation among other things. It is not a commercial film. In fact, it seems that so far most critics do not like it. Well, I can tell you that I did. I found it fascinating. But it is too complicated for the average filmgoer.
Coppola shows that he still has his director's flair. And I am glad that he is able to make these small, interesting films. Roth, Lara and Ganz are all wonderful. And the film looks beautiful.
I attended a screening where Coppola spoke a bit and introduced the film. Afterwards Roth, Lara and editor Murch answered questions.
I am the first to admit that this film is not for everyone. But if you like films that explore some of life's mysteries then Youth Without Youth is for you.
posted by Film Fanatic | 6:44 PM
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