Haines Logo Text
Column Archive
April 3, 2018:

I HEART LELOUCH

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, there are certain filmmakers that you just “get” that you just respond to, that you just enjoy.  About a decade ago I went on a crazy jag with such a filmmaker, Mr. Claude Lelouch.  I bought about twenty-five of his movies on DVDs and watched them all, and loved probably 98% of them right up through what were then his recent films.  I wrote about all of them in these here notes as I viewed each of them.  The other night I was scrolling through Netflix foreign films and came upon a movie starring Jean Dujardin, who I’ve always enjoyed.  The film was entitled Un + Une and I thought to myself, “Myself, doesn’t that just sound like a Claude Lelouch title?”  So, I clicked on it and lo and behold as well as behold and lo it was a Claude Lelouch film and one from just three years ago.  I had no idea he was still making films at what was then 78 years of age.  So, I began watching it and got about thirty minutes in and was, as I mostly am with Lelouch’s films, entranced by it.  Dujardin was delightful and the female lead was just as good, someone named Elsa Zylberstein.  So, last night I finished it and I just loved it.  First of all, how lovely to hear a new Francis Lai score, and see beautiful images and charming actors.  As always, there’s some playing with time, although it’s pretty easy to follow in this one as soon as you catch on to what he’s doing, and there’s simply never been a filmmaker like him.  His films are completely unique to him and resemble no one else’s.  This is a seriously good film so if you have the Flix of Net it is highly recommended by the likes of me.  There seems to be a French Blu-ray but with no English subtitles. In fact, there’s a huge new box set of Lelouch Blu-rays out in France and they, too, look like they’re not English friendly – what a shame that is.  Happily, the soundtrack was released on CD and since the company that put it out is also a dealer I do business with in France, I’ve asked them to send me one.

Yesterday was basically a day of taking it easy.  I was up too early and only got about six hours of sleep.  The errand I was going to do in the morning I didn’t actually do until mid-afternoon. I did all the usual morning things, then went and had an omelet and a bagel, after which I picked up no packages. But I did get the e-mail that my eBay counteroffer was accepted, and after Googling the buyer’s name I was totally right – a dealer who will now take this book I gave him a deal on and resell it for probably three times what he paid.  Not that I think it will sell for that much, but if he’s got a big clientele who knows?  But I was okay with what I got, although I would have preferred the full amount I was asking.  But as I’ve said time and again, only dealers are buying books on eBay.  But at least he knows I’m on to him, so I don’t think he’ll try to make Best Offers on any of the other books I have up, even though they’re all just as valuable as the one he got. Then I did the errand, then came back home.  Karen Staitman and her ever-lovin’ Steve stopped by briefly because she’d left her credit card at Little Toni’s and they found it and gave it to me as I was leaving. After that I did some work on the computer, watched the movie, and then listened to some music and relaxed. We’ve already set one cast member and the musical director for the May show, and I’ve put feelers out for a guest star.

Today, I have to finish casting and then start choosing songs, I’ll eat, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, then I have to write another set of liner notes, and may even go on to yet another. I’ll proof the packaging of the CD we’ll announce this week, and then I’ll probably watch something.

The rest of the week is meetings and meals, and then on Saturday night it’s a birthday dinner for little Peyton Kirkner.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, finish casting, choose songs, eat, hopefully pick up packages, write, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: Who are your favorite foreign filmmakers?  Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have seen another wonderful film of Claude Lelouch, who I heart.

Search BK's Notes Archive:
 
© 2001 - 2024 by Bruce Kimmel. All Rights Reserved