I’ve been working on a lengthy post about this great film, Rust and Bone, directed by Jacques Audiard. Figured this – a glimpse at the interconnected visual motifs in the film – would be a good teaser.
One motif belongs only to her (Stephanie, played by Marion Cotillard). One motif belongs only to him (Ali, played by Matthias Schoenaerts). One, they share. And one is the overall look of the movie. Together, these motifs create a visual style disorienting, palpably emotional – not romantic/sweet/intense emotions but RAW, pain so raw it can’t be faced directly, joy so raw it hurts. The look is beautiful but it’s not necessarily comforting. There is an intensity that is difficult to bear, or deal with directly, like looking at the sun. Audiard does not give the film a realistic look, because what the film REALLY is is a melodrama. Melodrama trucks in emotions. The story’s emotional themes are there in the visuals: Truth trying to break through. Other emotional experiential layers trying to be reached, or at least glimpsed, or even perceived at all. Coldness seeking out warmth, darkness seeking out light.
Rust and Bone was one of the best films of 2012. More to come.
In the meantime: Visual Motifs in Rust and Bone:
1. Lens Flares. Filming directly into the sun
2. Her motif: Leaning into the sun
3. Their motif: The backs of their heads
4. His motif: Looking through a window
Ooh! I’m so looking forward to this. I’m still trying to get hold of BULLHEAD. I might have to buy it to watch it.
I found it on Amazon – not sure if it’s available there where you are.
Nicola – this piece I’ve been writing (a paragraph at a time for months) is so long I’m almost embarrassed. But it’s been super fun and clearly I needed to get it all off my chest. Nobody would pay me to write anything this long, but it’s the kind of script/character/cinematography analysis I love to do.
It’s such a great film!!
It’s been really fun to really STUDY Rust and Bone. I’m seeing way more than I first perceived. The story is so – powerful doesn’t even cut it. Primal, more like it. But it really is so perfectly constructed and structured. And all of these visuals – the crazy lens flares – like who does it to THAT degree?? – it makes love seem like the most important thing.
And I guess it is.
I also just love how TOUGH the movie is: tough and honest, especially about its two lead characters.
Hard to picture an American romance allowing their two leads to be this potentially unsympathetic.
anyway: it’s a gem, and I’m glad you’re looking forward to it. :)
At a certain point over the last 2 months (where I’ve had no time for concentrated long work here) – I realized, “Okay. This is going to be a dissertation. Stop worrying about word count. It will be as long as it will be.”
My apologies beforehand. :) But I do look forward to discussing the movie with someone who loves it as much as I do. and maybe others will discover it too!
that scene when he is pounding the ice. goddamn.
Sean – I know. It’s excruciating to watch.
Hi Sheila, this comment doesn’t have to do with Rust and Bone but I always remember when you said that when a performer/musician is onstage it has got to COST YOU SOMETHING. Ya gotta leave something there on the goddamn stage. I see bands sometimes and they are not bringing it and just staring at their shoes. Thanks for that reminder! Best, Sean
Sean – yes, that piece was about Elvis!! It’s SO IMPORTANT. Like: commit. Give yourself away. Give the gift away. It’s PAINFUL to watch performers who don’t understand that.
and maybe there is a connection to Rust and Bone. :) I think both lead performances really COST those actors something. You can FEEL it. When he pounds his fists on the ice – Schoenaerts is giving us something – so fully – that I’m sure it was devastating for him in the moment, it’s something he will never get back – and nor would he WANT it back. You have to show that stuff, fear, and grief, and loss and shame – and you have to be willing to pay that price – because then we out here in the audience reap the benefits and that’s the gig.
Thanks for your comments, Sean!