FILM REVIEW: Blue Is The Warmest Color

I had neglected to see the French film Blue Is The Warmest Color since its premiere at Cannes Film Festival in 2013. It intrigued me with its artistic controversy, so much so that it never left Kai's List of I'll See It One Day's. Just a few minutes in, I took a sigh of relief knowing that it was going to surpass the much-talked-about graphic sex scenes with tender storytelling.

Director Abdellatif Kechiche's film sinks deep into realism which no doubt took its toll on both actresses. The romantic, coming-out story revolves around 17 year-old Adèle (played by Adèle Exarchopoulos). During the trials of discovering herself amidst her judgemental high school friends and boyfriend, she passes a short blue-haired young woman named Emma (played by Léa Seydoux) on the street and from there their love story begins.

The film clocks in at nearly 3 hours, being marketed as chapter 1 and 2. One can only suspect (or hope, rather) that there's more in store perhaps years down the road--following in the footsteps of the beautiful Before Sunrise series or the criminally over-looked film Boyhood. That said, Kechiche's pacing is unusual at times lingering too long on the children Adèle teaches in class and curious close-ups of characters devouring food. However, his persistent camera allows for some very emotional moments. The infamous sex scenes are erotic and beautiful. It is strange to note that, allegedly, both actresses were subject to Kechiche's grueling direction. Leaving to question--how far is too far in order to coax intimacy and realism from your actors?

Kechiche's cinematic boldness works--as it made us feel extremely close to both character's relationship. It has to be said, though, that the aftermath of the beautiful juxtaposition of two dinners, where both girls meet each others parents (one open, the other closeted), was side-stepped. Suddenly, the two girls are living together with no explanation at all. Normally such a peculiar blunder couldn't be overlooked but given the intense rawness of both of these actresses we understand the story is more about their ability to sustain themselves with each other not everyone else. There is a transcendent scene where Adèle first experiences the heart-stuttering, high-energy of a gay night club. We suspect all along she was searching for Emma--who arrives with crackling seduction.

Both actresses should've been Oscar nominated for Best Actress and Supporting Actress. With such gutting performances, what more could the Academy be looking for? It is hard to say who is better. Perhaps that's why Cannes' Jury President Steven Spielberg and panel (Nicole Kidman & Ang Lee) startled by awarding the coveted Palme d’Or to both actresses.

We follow Exarchopoulos' exploration of sexuality with other men to the point of frustration. A path that wasn't examined very closely but rather felt through a grade-A performance. She cries a lot--a place in youth most of us have been before we grow stronger and life's tears lessen. However, Seydoux, as the struggling artist, is just as impressive, if not more so, with a cagey heartbreak that is penetrating and unforgiving.

I loved the sporadic splashes of blue in the film, which represented sadness and hope. Especially when Adèle strolls into Emma's art gallery opening in a last-ditch effort--electric blue dress and all. But like Emma's once youthful blue hair-dye, certain parts of ourselves--our trust, our vulnerability, our naive energy, our level of forgiveness--our relationships in general unfortunately fade with time. We never forget them though. 

SCORE: 9

By: Kai Elijah Hamilton
of Metallic Pink Popcorn and Mannequin Warehouse Productions 

1/16/17