THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210019
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
``RED'' IS A HYPNOTIC experience that invites the viewer to effortlessly flow along into a mood in which fate controls all. Eventually, there is the feeling that we might as well surrender; there is no controlling this movie, least of all by something as commonplace as a linear plot.
Actually, there is one person in control: Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski, a surprise Oscar nominee. This is the last of his trilogy based on the colors of the French flag, and it is by far the best. In ``Blue'' (liberty), Juliette Binoche attempted to create a new life and forget her past. ``White'' (equality) is a comedy starring Julie Delpy. It was not released here but is available on video cassette.
Now, and most importantly, there is ``Red'' (fraternity). The plots, if you could call them that, are interchangeable. You need not see the other films in order to be mystified by ``Red.''
Valentine, played by the radiant Irene Jacob, is a 23-year-old student/model who lives above a cafe in Geneva. She telephones her boyfriend in England but doesn't really communicate. We get a hint that their affair is near its end. On a lonely street, she runs over and injures a dog. Through his tag, she finds his owner, a retired judge.
The judge, played by veteran French star Jean-Louis Trintignant, seems unmoved. He spends his time spying on his neighbors - looking out the windows or recording their phone conversations. He is 65, yet Valentine seems attracted to him. The action of ``Red'' links these people and others together. The judge spies on Karin, who is the girlfriend of Auguste, who lives in the same area as Valentine. They pass daily, yet they don't meet.
``Red'' seems to be saying that fate determines much of what happens to all of us - and much of what doesn't. We control nothing. It is fascinating to watch.
The movie has been nominated for there Oscars - best director, screenplay and cinematography. It was disqualified from the foreign film sweepstakes, an award it surely would have won. It was entered by Switzerland, but the Oscar folks ruled that it wasn't Swiss enough. It has a Polish director and is in French.
Catch this hypnotic film. ``Red'' is a prime example of how a talented director can weave a spell. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Irene Jacobs[sic] stars as the model Valentine in ``Red.''
Graphic
``RED''
Rated: R
Starring: Irene Jacobs[sic], Jean-Louis Trintignant
Mal's rating: 3 1/2 stars
by CNB