Oranges sanguines

I recently watched the French film 🇫🇷 Bloody Oranges (2021) on Shudder. The storyline weaves together three distinct narratives: an elderly couple hoping to win a dance contest to pay off their debts, a man evading tax fraud charges, and a young woman seeking revenge after being raped. As these stories unfold, they become interconnected in a strange and unsettling universe.

Directed by Jean-Christophe Meurisse (One of Us), the film stars Alexandre Steiger (The French Dispatch), Christophe Paou (Stranger by the Lake), Lilith Grasmug (Thunder), Denis Podalydès (The Conquest), and Anthony Paliotti (To the Ends of the World).

While the film is well-shot with clean cinematography and solid horror elements, I found myself only invested in one of the three storylines. The plot involving the finance guy and the elderly couple felt average and failed to capture my interest. On the other hand, the storyline focused on the young woman seeking revenge, along with the man with a green couch and a pig 🐖 in his house, was much more compelling. I couldn't help but wish the entire film had centered around this narrative. There's also some horror nudity sprinkled throughout. The torture scenes were intense, though some parts felt predictable.

In conclusion, Bloody Oranges is interesting enough to keep your attention, but it doesn't quite stand out in the genre. I'd score it a 5.5-6/10 and only recommend it if you're looking for something a bit different.

I came into this movie knowing very little, outside of the fact that it was streaming on Shudder. So I got that there was a horror element. Still, I had no idea what to expect, but was mesmerized by the way that what passes for ordinary discussion and debate, was portrayed. It wasn't just the competing cacophony of voices in a judge's debate on a dance contest, or the hypnotic camerawork and metronome infusion into an otherwise standard conversation between a debtor and a bank.

What I found jaw-dropping was the sudden right turns this movie makes, starting fairly subtly with a way too frank discussion between a gynecologist and her young patient. That was the relatively tame part. And then circumstances beyond our control step in, and worlds are altered.

This is not your parent's slice of life movie.

I watched the trailer afterwards and it gives way too much away. It is much better to be seduced by the knowingly ironic and cynical dialogue that many of the characters pepper each other with. And then watch as quirks of fate that suddenly can intrude on life, cause the bottom to drop out.

Personally, I thought the acting, writing and direction was crisp and thrilling. There was not a single moment of boredom in this one. But it is certainly not for everyone. If you are easily offended, steer clear. Otherwise, fasten your seatbelt. You are in for a treat.

This is a dark comedy. When it is comedy, it's funny, even hilarious in some moments. When it's "dark", it's really dark, it doesn't hold back. Second half is unexpectedly dark but if you pay attention, you realise that there is a smooth transition, i mean, the director here knows exactly what he is doing.

There are some messages here and i fully agree with their sociopolitical content. Furthermore, it's an interesting movie, no boring moments.

However, i can't rate it higher because i didn't enjoy very much the movie in the second half. It was too weird/bizarre, i can't explain it well but i believe that it should have been even darker or maybe funnier and less dark. I can't tell which direction. There is some catharsis here but i didn't enjoy it as much as i would like to. A seemingly satisfying ending which leaves you surprisingly with a -somewhat- bad taste in your mouth. I love weird movies but something felt off. It was simultaneously too realistic and not realistic at all. Maybe this is what the director wanted: A confusing experience for the viewer. If so, i respect such daring choices. Still, i enjoyed this movie less than i wanted.

In conclusion, i applaud such weird and provocative movies. Some times, it works really well ( "Relatos salvajes", 2014, that's a movie that came into my mind as i was watching this).

And some other times, it works just good.

I've seen this movie in the Cinematheque of Uruguay and it was hilarious. The first part of this film was really funny, with ironic jokes and dark humor. But, the second part gets more dramatic and dark. Also, the movie is a good critic of the society of the XXI century, which is chaotic and complicated. A world in which people can't be happy with themselves and with others.

It is a good film; funny and sad.

I saw this at the midnight premier in Cannes. I can't imagine why people dislike it unless they're either puritanical or hate reading subtitles.

I will refrain from spoilers.... but it's the definition of dark comedy. It might make Quentin Tarantino blush.

I would rate it 10 to off-set the terrible ratings, but it's not my job to be the rating equalizer.