short film reviews, criticism, and occasional musing.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Micmacs (2009, France)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet Micmacs is like Ocean’s Eleven goes twee. Call them the Whimsical Eight. Scarred (literally) in childhood and adulthood by the products of two arms manufacturers, Bazil (Dany Boon) and his wacky crew of junkyard misfits plan an elaborate scheme of revenge. And it’s Jeunet’s trademark wackiness that is the main problem in Micmacs, as it never syncs with the subject of international arms dealing. His visuals are typically fantastic, but even they tend to wear after a bit, as he repeats the same motifs ad nauseam (is there a person in that suitcase?). A misfire, for sure, all the more disappointing considering the five years since A Very Long Engagement.

(Incidentally, I wasn’t a fan of how every black character in the film was noted as being African – aren’t there any French-born people of color? I'm pretty sure there might be.)

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home