When I was reading the description of this movie for the Sydney Film Festival I was instantly intrigued, and I certainly was not let down, as it lived both up to this description and my expectation of it.
The premise is delightfully simple: a man trims off his moustache after discussing the possibility with his partner, and after he does so she seems adamant that she never had one in the first place. The entire first half of the film is centred around the conflict that follows, and because of its simplicity I think it is the strongest part of the film. At first it is utterly engaging because of the way Marc responds to everyone's apprent disinterest in his new appearance. He is genuinely upset when his friends, and particularly his wife, do not respond to the change. I thought that it was an effective insight into relationships on the part of Carrere, showing how such a small thing can become such a big issue for a couple. The other feature of the first part of the film was the story regarding the radiator, which sets up the possibility that this could be an elaborate hoax. Though, from the naturalistic perspective the movie takes, it is absurd to think that his wife and friends could have orchestrated the entire affair, it is to Carrere's credit that the possibility is always niggling at the audience.
The progression to the second half of the movie, set in Hong Kong, was somewhat jarring. The trips on the boat, though furthering nicely the interesting water motif that permeated the film, got slightly repetitive before the final twist at the end. However, the appearance of his wife in his hotel room quickly makes one forget this, and really allows the audience to form their own opinion on the matter; is this the dillusion of a troubled man, or the sick game of a strange wife.
The film was excellently written and directed, and the music was inoffensive but effective. My only quibble was the quality of some parts of the movie, but I think this may have been a problem with the reel that was used. All in all it was a highly enjoyable movie for those who don't like to always know what's going on, but most enjoyment can be yielded from it if one appreciates the insights into relationships shown here, and not just into continuity of appearance.
The premise is delightfully simple: a man trims off his moustache after discussing the possibility with his partner, and after he does so she seems adamant that she never had one in the first place. The entire first half of the film is centred around the conflict that follows, and because of its simplicity I think it is the strongest part of the film. At first it is utterly engaging because of the way Marc responds to everyone's apprent disinterest in his new appearance. He is genuinely upset when his friends, and particularly his wife, do not respond to the change. I thought that it was an effective insight into relationships on the part of Carrere, showing how such a small thing can become such a big issue for a couple. The other feature of the first part of the film was the story regarding the radiator, which sets up the possibility that this could be an elaborate hoax. Though, from the naturalistic perspective the movie takes, it is absurd to think that his wife and friends could have orchestrated the entire affair, it is to Carrere's credit that the possibility is always niggling at the audience.
The progression to the second half of the movie, set in Hong Kong, was somewhat jarring. The trips on the boat, though furthering nicely the interesting water motif that permeated the film, got slightly repetitive before the final twist at the end. However, the appearance of his wife in his hotel room quickly makes one forget this, and really allows the audience to form their own opinion on the matter; is this the dillusion of a troubled man, or the sick game of a strange wife.
The film was excellently written and directed, and the music was inoffensive but effective. My only quibble was the quality of some parts of the movie, but I think this may have been a problem with the reel that was used. All in all it was a highly enjoyable movie for those who don't like to always know what's going on, but most enjoyment can be yielded from it if one appreciates the insights into relationships shown here, and not just into continuity of appearance.