I then watched CARTESIUS. Being made for TV, it was split into two parts about 90 minutes each. At first, I was only going to watch the first part this afternoon and then recuperate a bit and watch the second part tonight, but then I changed my mind and just watched them both this afternoon to be done with it.
These biographical studies by Rossellini are very subdued; they're almost like Renaissance paintings with people talking to the backs of people's heads and very studied, stylized movement of actors and camera.
Decartes' theories were so fascinating and revolutionary that the film gains interest just from their being discussed, but it's still a slow slog through molasses to get to the end.