Neville
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
Karma: 142
Posts: 3050
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« on: September 12, 2003, 11:01:16 AM » |
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Really. I was expecting a thriller, having watched the trailer and knowing DePalma's fascination with the genre, and no wonder I left the theatre disappointed. However, a second viewing was of a great help.
--- The following rambling contains SPOILERS ---
Instead of a thriller, "Femme Fatale" is a joyful, playful last word into the concept of voyeurism, a concept that has played a great part on DePalma's movies. Apart from making us voyeurs, DePalma allows this time an archeotypical character - the titular femme fatale - to take a glimpse at the movie she is being part of (in the middle section of the film, a concentrated, almost parodic noir film, when she is dreaming). And this simple fact, that she realises she is part of a movie, makes her take different decisions to become a different character in a different movie.
Sure, this doesn't make it a masterpiece, DePalma still has to offer several explanations, specially why the heck he chose two apalling actors like Antonio Banderas and Rebecca Romjin to play such complex characters.
But at least it explains the naivety of the premise, and (I hope) it adds some food for thought. And c'on, people, give it a chance. As many DePalma's films, it is deliciously directed, with many scenes revealing details about the plot almost without dialogue, plus a fantastic oniric, dreamlike feel few directors can achieve.
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