Just Like Dry White Wine…Not so sweet yet a great experience to try!
Luc Besson’s 2010 movie is about a beautiful adventurist also a writer, Adele ,trying to get her sister out-of her coma with her different methods, including bringing Pharaoh’s doctor back to life!
It’s set in 1912.The movie doesn’t carry a clever plot or a shocking life story yet the way Besson portrays Adele’s efforts makes the audience feel like this journey she is going through is almost as important as saving the world. I must admit, throughout her journey I kept a big-grin on my face with the quirky humour of Adele (Louise Bourgoin) completely ignoring the big question of: What is her aim? Because when I think of why she is going through all this, the film really loses its magic for me.
Besson doesn’t forget to reflect his style on this film just like his other fantasy film The Fifth Element- that was a turning point for fantasy films in my childhood-. His perfectly sketched and –different-from-eachother- characters; Dieuleveult, Inspecteur Albert Caponi and Le professeur Ménard.
I love the feel that French films give to me. It’s poetical and romantic. Even though there is no romance in The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec, Louise has a romantic and lyrical charm of her own that reflects the mystical French spirit and American-plotted adventure film. As the film starts I felt a bit lost trying to understand the plot, which instantly lighted the bulb in my head, the style is so similar to Amelie. The characters are linked to eachother through unusual events. When we are introduced to the film with our strange chubby character, Besson gives a hint to the audience showing a part of the films ending scenes.
My favorite film of the character however is the professor. I strongly believe that I have an attraction to the crazy old professor character. I realized this when I was watching Asterix and Obelix vs. Ceasar, which is also a French film. Prof. Menard has spiritual powers; he controls objects and creatures with his mind. The scene where he hides the dinosaur is hilarious, small acting yet great mimics and facial expressions. Other then the prof. ofcuorse Adele’s character is perfectly sketched. – On another note I have came across lots of reviews about this film that criticize how the character is poorly portrayed into a movie from the comic book, yet I strongly suggest that reviewer and also audience needs to realize that, movies are based on books, not directly telling the same story-.
It a beautiful visual journey really. Luc Besson kept the spirit of ancient throughout the film mostly with the mise-en-scene. The props are carefully chosen. There is no prop in the set that I found awkward compared to rest. It was a beautifully made puzzle. The color brown sets the mood of ancient and historical beautifully. In the flashback when Adele re-tells the story of how her sister had the accident one can see that both sisters are wearing pure white and scene carries a more heavenly look. However in the present time of the movie the scenery is usually bleak and depressive. This portrays Adele’s mood and depression about her sister’s situation.
Carrying on with mise-en-scene I want to point out the fact that Besson’s camera work is really similar to Hitchcock’s use of camera angles e.g moving forward to a window and then tilting up to create the mood of mystery. This can be seen in Leon: The Professional and Le Gran Bleu .
There are lots of things to discover about both Besson’s work in this film and also Adele’s adventures. It’s a well-spent time to watch this beautiful and really funny film. Besson keeps his name in the greatest auteurs list.
