A Little Chaos
Starring: Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts
Directed by: Alan Rickman
Screenplay: Allison Deegan
Rated: M 117 Minutes
Alan Rickman is a gem of an actor, I saw him on stage in 'Private Lives' and he managed to make the whole thing sexy, and now likes to direct. Mind you his languorous acting style might be more of Alan than we thought for it has taken him seven years to return to directing after his debut 'The Winter Guest' back in 1997. I guess you can't rush some things.
So we find ourselves in Louis XIV's France in 1682, mostly at Versailles where Kate Winslet gets to furrow and burrow as the landscape designer Sabine De Barra. The widow is brought in by Chief Garden guy Andre Le Notre (Matthias Schoenaerts) to transform a sludgy, muddy section of the massive Palace gardens into an exciting geometrically underpinned amphitheatre. She's a woman so her undertaking is far from welcome and the film follows some of the undermining that goes on. It doesn't help that her plans are vivacious and innovative in a time of entrenched (even possibly mandated) mundanity. Sidebar: I think it's highly doubtful there were any women working let alone in such positions back 'then', after all this is the time of the classically defined ladies - a woman paid NOT to work.
There be a lot going on in that Court and Palace let me tell ya', hot bed of gossip and intrigue doesn't quite cover it. Good fun and a little bit shocking too.
Rickman (who also has a fine, purse lipped, turn as Louis) captures the period well especially the frivolity that ensued and manages to finesse the somewhat mannered script (I felt even a little too 'modern' at times) into a neat tale and almost pitch perfect. There's not much new here but there is a lot to enjoy. I saw Rickman's stage experience in the visuals; the aspect ration is tight and limiting but enables him to move scenes through in a theatrical style. Even the blocking and settings are as though on a theatre stage. Let me tell you a lot of the movie is simply beautiful to look at. I think the magnificence would have been enhanced if done on widescreen; the camera could have roamed widely and really given us something spectacular. Maybe the participation of BBC Films demands a 'TV' aspect but with widescreen TV now I'd have thought that was a bit old fashioned.
There is a magic, stunning scene where Sabine comes into a salon full of women attached to the Palace and they talk about 'stuff' - it is moving and wonderful, a delightful moment.
On beauty I must say Kate Winslet is gorgeous in this film, there are some shots of her that make you want to shout out 'oh my god', seriously. I've always thought she was above the pack but in this one she is stratospheric. And that's before her finely tuned and convincing portrayal of a woman with a fair amount of sadness and good reason to just stay at home and not face the world. Then she comes into the world of the noble and the rich (well seemingly rich, actually they were pretty broke) and try to find acceptance. Sabine brings a little chaos to rigidity and certainty which Kate delivers perfectly.
Matthias Schoenaerts does well in the role of Le Notre but it's not great. He was terrific in 'Rust and Bone' but I'm not sure he gave enough in this one. Not to say he wasn't good, just not good enough and to be fair it could be that the role is a little simply drawn, not exactly a 'deep' character although I'm sure such a man would have a bit going on.
This is a visually stunning film, well directed although it could have been bigger and better viewing wise. It avoids the overstatement and grandeur as an excuse for camp or d-r-a-m-a to match the scale. It once or twice wanders off the point but is mostly tight and confined and this is the strength Rickman brings. It made for a rewarding and rich experience with a nice glimpse into a story supposedly based on historical characters and facts (debateable).
A good movie to enjoy in a comfortable cinema with a nice snack and a refreshing beverage. Sit back and let it was over you - makes for ideal movie going.
Cheers - Salut!
3 out of 5
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