This is a wonderfully endearing film that failed tragically for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the film: bad marketing. The film ran in a few Belgian theaters for a few weeks and then disappeared quietly. Nevertheless, Just Friends has everything going for it. The sound track is made by jazz legend Archie Shepp and is one of the gems in my jazz collection. Some of the supporting actors belong to the finest musicians in the Belgian scene, like Geert Kliphuis, who once wrote music for Belgian favorite Vaya Con Dios. Josse de Pauw as main character Jack once again proves that he is indeed one of the best Belgian actors. The story is strong, with wonderful and almost magic side tracks. (20 double bases jamming on an empty town square, in the pale light of early Sunday morning!) The film won first prizes at the Flanders Film festival in 1994 and then, just as big things were supposed to happen, somebody forgot to print some flyers or something like that. Just Friends shows that real quality does not surface by its own brilliance and that breaks my heart. Cruel world.
2 Reviews
Artists' life, saxophone, relationships
.slightly bizarre, ultimately honest
harry_tk_yung14 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers
A mainstream interpretation of Just Friends would be a story about sax player cum longshoreman Jack's longing to leave Antwerp to pursue his life-long dream in America. Even more than that, however, this is a cross-sectional story of a group of artists reflecting their passion and lust for life.
Most outstanding is the jazz group's (especially Jack's) intense passion for their music, accentuated in their storming out of performances to unappreciative audiences. Such a passion is not allowed to be compromised by trivialities like poverty and starvation. This cross-sectional picture is enriched by non-musician buddy Andre's somewhat bizarre but equally passionately created sculptures. On the other hand, human weakness is underscored by the bass player's drug addiction which eventually leads to his tragic death.
The film is sparkling throughout with slightly noir wit, with a couple of touches that border on absolute ingenuity (one with a spider, another with a condom). There are also some really beautiful jazz numbers (but maybe too few).
A real gem, not to be missed.
A mainstream interpretation of Just Friends would be a story about sax player cum longshoreman Jack's longing to leave Antwerp to pursue his life-long dream in America. Even more than that, however, this is a cross-sectional story of a group of artists reflecting their passion and lust for life.
Most outstanding is the jazz group's (especially Jack's) intense passion for their music, accentuated in their storming out of performances to unappreciative audiences. Such a passion is not allowed to be compromised by trivialities like poverty and starvation. This cross-sectional picture is enriched by non-musician buddy Andre's somewhat bizarre but equally passionately created sculptures. On the other hand, human weakness is underscored by the bass player's drug addiction which eventually leads to his tragic death.
The film is sparkling throughout with slightly noir wit, with a couple of touches that border on absolute ingenuity (one with a spider, another with a condom). There are also some really beautiful jazz numbers (but maybe too few).
A real gem, not to be missed.
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