This will be a review for Les Amities particulieres and a comparison to the 're-make' The fire that burns. However, before I begin I'd like to warn you this will be very detailed and long. Feel free to skim and such, but if you really want to know my opinion, please read throughly. So sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy this review.
~*I: Background *~
Les Amities particulieres is a movie which in my opinion is the greatest film of all time. You might disagree with this, but hopefully after I present my review of the movie you'll think differently. This movie is a forgotten piece of work, and it's a kind of movie that you'd never get bored watching. There are certain motifs in this film that play huge part and things you ought to know about the movie as well, such as characters.
Georges: The main protagonist in this movie, an upperclassman, son of a marquis. Short black hair, brooding eyes, a real looker.
Alexandre: This is George's lover. He's in the forth grade during this movie. Has long almost shaggy brown hair, and real energetic eyes. He has a million different expressions. (I counted 23) and he is very attractive. Sad he's sixty now.
Religion is a very big contributor in this movie as there are very strict traditions in this movie. Such as up early, not allowed to sleep a certain way, communion, and other things like this. This school is a place that I'd never wish anyone would go it. It's very strict and the people are ignorant of the ideals of a rational person, but rather motivated by foolish and religious beliefs that have dictated this school for years.
This movie is filmed in black and white and that gives it's brilliance more meaning in my opinion. It shows the scenes as more theatrical and makes them more dramatic to happen. It makes one feel happy when it's filmed this way. (This changed in the supposed remake) and it makes everything seem dull, and this matches the movie.
The beginning of this movie is a heart-warming scene of our protagonist saying good bye to his parents as he embarks to his new school. In this movie people seem to make friends, really, really fast. Almost instantaneous and it makes me wonder if real life is actually like this. Can one become friends with some one, best friends in minutes? I would like to test this theory some time.
Also, all the students that go to this school seem to be really, really smart, and they all come here because they're smart. Some of them even are arrogant when it comes to their intelligence.
One of the main character's friends, I wont mention you, has a single event in the movie which exposes his homosexuality, and they even show his boyfriend. Sorry, they are of the same age, we're not to the good part yet, but this allows the protagonist to realize some things about himself and open up. Sadly something happens to the boyfriend, again won't spoil it and you will have to figure out what.
The way that the protagonist and his young lover meet is quite sweet. I think of it as any other cinematic experience. On a public forum, having a sweet starring back and forth, finally saying hello, and then switching into a good game. Yes, the protagonist meets his future love somewhat early on in the film, and it's like love at first site.
The middle of this movie has to be the sweetest part of the whole movie and it really lays it down for what's to come in this movie. The first exchange of love between the two is a verse the older boy writes to the younger boy. How he gets it to him, and how the other boy reacts is up to you to find out, but I have to say it was very sweet and they were almost on the same wavelength and they act based off each other without having to talk about it.
During the movie they have a secret hiding spot where they go. I wont tell you what it is, but they come here often and they have many love felt exchanges with each other. Now, they never really do stuff with each other in this film. They barely even hug in his film, they hold hands once, and the younger boy kisses the older boy on the cheek twice. So for all of you hoping for something more to happen. Nothing ever does.
The next part is my favorite scene and a SPOILER, so skip over the next paragraph if you haven't seen it.
My favorite scene is definitely the Piano scene, it's very cute and a adorable. Alexandre had the audacity to come into his piano lesson and stand there, even mess with him, as the teacher was there. Even after he left, they played piano together, and Alexandre made it very clear that he didn't care what happened, they'd escape together and live together forever. Which in my opinion is very brave for a kid in the forth grade. Of course Georges agrees with him, and they make their plans together.
~* IV: Ending *~
The ending I didn't like at all. I'm sorry, but I won't spoil it for you.The ending is where everything began to unwind, and I think it all happened to quickly. I can't really discuss further without giving details that'll ruin it. All I have to say is to watch this movie.
~*I: Background *~
Les Amities particulieres is a movie which in my opinion is the greatest film of all time. You might disagree with this, but hopefully after I present my review of the movie you'll think differently. This movie is a forgotten piece of work, and it's a kind of movie that you'd never get bored watching. There are certain motifs in this film that play huge part and things you ought to know about the movie as well, such as characters.
Georges: The main protagonist in this movie, an upperclassman, son of a marquis. Short black hair, brooding eyes, a real looker.
Alexandre: This is George's lover. He's in the forth grade during this movie. Has long almost shaggy brown hair, and real energetic eyes. He has a million different expressions. (I counted 23) and he is very attractive. Sad he's sixty now.
Religion is a very big contributor in this movie as there are very strict traditions in this movie. Such as up early, not allowed to sleep a certain way, communion, and other things like this. This school is a place that I'd never wish anyone would go it. It's very strict and the people are ignorant of the ideals of a rational person, but rather motivated by foolish and religious beliefs that have dictated this school for years.
This movie is filmed in black and white and that gives it's brilliance more meaning in my opinion. It shows the scenes as more theatrical and makes them more dramatic to happen. It makes one feel happy when it's filmed this way. (This changed in the supposed remake) and it makes everything seem dull, and this matches the movie.
The beginning of this movie is a heart-warming scene of our protagonist saying good bye to his parents as he embarks to his new school. In this movie people seem to make friends, really, really fast. Almost instantaneous and it makes me wonder if real life is actually like this. Can one become friends with some one, best friends in minutes? I would like to test this theory some time.
Also, all the students that go to this school seem to be really, really smart, and they all come here because they're smart. Some of them even are arrogant when it comes to their intelligence.
One of the main character's friends, I wont mention you, has a single event in the movie which exposes his homosexuality, and they even show his boyfriend. Sorry, they are of the same age, we're not to the good part yet, but this allows the protagonist to realize some things about himself and open up. Sadly something happens to the boyfriend, again won't spoil it and you will have to figure out what.
The way that the protagonist and his young lover meet is quite sweet. I think of it as any other cinematic experience. On a public forum, having a sweet starring back and forth, finally saying hello, and then switching into a good game. Yes, the protagonist meets his future love somewhat early on in the film, and it's like love at first site.
The middle of this movie has to be the sweetest part of the whole movie and it really lays it down for what's to come in this movie. The first exchange of love between the two is a verse the older boy writes to the younger boy. How he gets it to him, and how the other boy reacts is up to you to find out, but I have to say it was very sweet and they were almost on the same wavelength and they act based off each other without having to talk about it.
During the movie they have a secret hiding spot where they go. I wont tell you what it is, but they come here often and they have many love felt exchanges with each other. Now, they never really do stuff with each other in this film. They barely even hug in his film, they hold hands once, and the younger boy kisses the older boy on the cheek twice. So for all of you hoping for something more to happen. Nothing ever does.
The next part is my favorite scene and a SPOILER, so skip over the next paragraph if you haven't seen it.
My favorite scene is definitely the Piano scene, it's very cute and a adorable. Alexandre had the audacity to come into his piano lesson and stand there, even mess with him, as the teacher was there. Even after he left, they played piano together, and Alexandre made it very clear that he didn't care what happened, they'd escape together and live together forever. Which in my opinion is very brave for a kid in the forth grade. Of course Georges agrees with him, and they make their plans together.
~* IV: Ending *~
The ending I didn't like at all. I'm sorry, but I won't spoil it for you.The ending is where everything began to unwind, and I think it all happened to quickly. I can't really discuss further without giving details that'll ruin it. All I have to say is to watch this movie.