|
I'M GOING HOME Send This Review to a Friend
Distinguished writer-director Manoel de Oliveira, now 93, was represented at the 2001 New York Film Festival by "I'm Going Home,"a strong Portuguese-French co-production in French with English subtitles. Fortunately for discerning filmgoers, it is now getting a commercial release.
The celebrated French actor Michel Piccoli excels in a warm and touching performance as aging but successful theater actor Gilbert Valence, who is hit by a family tragedy while starring in Eugene Ionesco's "Exit the King." His wife, daughter and son-in-law have died in an auto accident, and now, alone, he must try to raise his young orphaned grandson. He also pursues his acting career, which he has followed with lifelong principles of doing works of substance.
John Malkovich portrays an American film director who is a great fan of Valence, and he wants him to play Buck Mulligan in a film version of James Joyce's "Ulysses." There are scenes both painful and amusing as the actor struggles with his lines and dialect. The case is hopeless at this point in Valence's life, but as he insists on trying projects that are worthwhile and do not prostitute his talent, he gives it a try, although he soon sees that the the task is an impossible one for which he is ill-suited.
"I'm Going Home" is worth seeing for Piccoli's performance alone. The actor is in fine form as he struggles with life's great and small challenges. But it is also the occasion to savor once again the Oliveira's immense talent in this very special film. He brings to the material a wise reflection on life's values and challenges, with Piccoli as his perfect interpreter, and the director is able to also provide nuances of humor that add warmth to the deeply personal drama. Given Oliveira's age, the freshness he is still able to bring to his subject is quite amazing.
Others in the cast include Catherine Deneuve, Antoine Chappey, Leonor Baldaque and Jan Koeltgen. "I'm Going Home" is a leisurely, reflective film for connoisseurs of artistic quality. A Milestone Films release.
|