Flight Of The Red Balloon (2007/Genius/IFC DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B-
Extras: D Film: B
Filmmaker
Hsiao-hsien Hou’s remake (or inspired version) of the 1956 classic The Red Balloon directed by Albert
Lamorisse makes it’s way to DVD and serves as one of the better
adaptations/remakes in recent memory.
The story circles around a single mother who is busy raising two
children on her own, but can’t seem to find any time to herself with the
variety of obligations, so she hires a student from the university in Paris to
watch the children. One of the kids
(Simon who is 7) ends up taking a fascinating and wild ride with the babysitter
as they are followed by a mysterious red balloon, the rest of the film is dedicated
to the influence that the babysitter has not only on the kids, but on the
mother as well.
Since
there are so many negative films out there and their portrayal of families I
found this one more refreshing as it dealt with the realities of single
parents, raising children, and the busy-ness that is consuming most of the
world. The film is sincere at its core,
maybe a bit too sweet for some tastes, but I think its honest intentions serve
the film well and Juliette Binoche dials in yet another brilliant performance
as the mother.
I think
most people can relate to certain aspects of the film and despite this DVD’s
lack of extras, will still warrant a viewing.
Presented in a widescreen 1.78 X 1 anamorphic transfer the films scenery
looks good despite DVD limitations in resolution. The style of the film is not lost with a very
lush color palette. The Dolby Digital
5.1 is nothing super impressive, but delivers all that can be expected with a
compressed lossy soundtrack. The film is
highly dialogue driven, so this is a non-issue.
This is
one flight that most families need to take as it not only demonstrates the pace
of life for many, but the need for stability, friendship, imagination, and
other people in our lives to speak truth and reason into us! A great gem!
- Nate Goss
