Beau Travail (1999)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 92 minuten
Country:
France
Directed by: Claire Denis
Stars: Denis Lavant, Grégoire Colin and Michel Subor
IMDb score:
7,3 (18.868)
Releasedate: 16 September 1999
Beau Travail plot
"Maybe freedom begins with remorse."
Officer Galoup (Denis Lavant) leads a French Foreign Legion stationed in Africa. He lives a carefree, routine life, but the arrival of the promising, beautiful soldier Sentain fuels his jealousy. The story is based on Herman Melville's 'Billy Budd'.
Actors and actresses
Galoup
Commander Bruno Forestier
Gilles Sentain
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
Legionnaire
Reviews & comments
wibro
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- 11590 messages
- 4098 votes
This movie that has been on my wish list for a long time has finally been seen. At first I had quite a bit of trouble with the story, but after 45 minutes I got better and better into the film and I became more and more fascinated. This was partly due to the beautiful images of the desolate volcanic landscape in the former French part of Somaliland. Just like "Trouble Every Day", Denis' films are visually excellent films, although apparently little happens in them. The rituals of the legionnaires, accompanied by a mysterious oratorio-like soundtrack, were nevertheless a feast for the eyes. The ending - Galoup letting loose on the dance floor - was kind of comical. Moreover, also surprising because when I saw Galoup lying on the bed with the gun in his hand, I was convinced that he would commit suicide.
4.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
MauriceMankes
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- 218 messages
- 213 votes
a film that regularly resembles a choreography; the well-designed, not too emphatic little story is beautifully woven into the whole, which breathes a word: machismo. Although I'm not a fan of the "masculine" genres, this movie surpasses all the movies I've seen in these genres, both in quality and depth, in terms of portrayal of the man and the masculine. This film is a true viewing experience in many ways.
Translated from Dutch · View original
leatherhead
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- 3556 messages
- 1813 votes
Fortunately, this Denis managed to charm me again.
In itself, this Beau Travail has many ingredients that also appeared in the Denis's I have already watched, but this film still managed to get me started.
First, the characters: Lavant intrigues again; what a great face that man has. And the Sentain character also exudes a certain mystique that is immensely intriguing. You notice that something is hiding behind his facade. The setting, captured on camera in an almost poetic manner, was often a feast for the eyes. Sometimes a bit bare, but certain shots (poster shot, Sentain lying on a salt flat) are truly unparalleled. The music is not really my thing, but within the film it was treated separately, so that the relevant scenes got something ominous about them.
I soon left the story behind; plot-wise, the film wanders a bit, and it is indeed constructed somewhat fragmentarily. Subcutaneous symbolism, metaphorical situations, and so on, I leave to others in this case; I couldn't get enough of it on my first viewing. The final chord, consisting of Lavant's ludicrous little dance, for example, did it have a certain, deeper meaning? Or was it just 'for the fun of it'? Oh well, it was quite funny.
But in the end, I really liked the movie. A separate, fascinating, ominous atmosphere, some strong acting performances and a beautiful setting. Just lacks a bit of real outliers, such as those that occurred in Trouble Every Day. 3.5*.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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