signlady

This is one of my favourite bio movies about an artist - bc I can feel all the moods. I can feel the dampness of the streets & air, I can smell the plaster & paint, cigarette smoke, & the mustiness of the apartment & the studio - the studio which feels so real - the gritty, unpolished, age of it - how the artist doesn't notice or care about clutter, how his focus is on the works only.

I understand how immersion & indulgence in ones art makes one crazy & seemingly off-beat . . . And causes this deep angst - searching for the impossible way to create & form that specific vision . . .

Some people think this movie is slow & has no story - but this film is a perfect portrait into the mind & doings of an artist, and those around this artist - who tolerate & understand him, or try to understand him.

There's both real humor & anguish here among all participants in the creative process. The story IS showing how - an artist - who has reached a level of fame - is still extremely unsure, insecure, tortured, producing, & still pulling in those around him, while he is still searching for that one creation he himself is fully satisfied with . . . All while believing he never will achieve that place . . . And while inately knowing his remaining time is short . . .

It's interesting how he's never abandoned by anyone. They stay around because they want to see what happens next -- what the artist creates next. And because they too are hoping to see if the artist will ever be satisfied with a piece . . .

Just beautifully done movie - the entire production, cast, & direction.

I've watched it several times & will again.

Note: if you're interested in one example of the artistic process & mind, or if you are an artist, you will enjoy this movie. If you're not curious about art & the process, & not an artist, its unlikely you will enjoy this movie bc it wil be hard to understand all that was shown in this film. That lack of interest & understanding is what drives the low reviewers to make vapid comments like 'too slow' or 'like watching paint dry', or say, 'boring', or 'there's no story' . . . . all said bc they can't simply say 'I don't understand this film' bc they don't even know they don't understand how the creative process works, which is, that it works differently in each artist, yet really very similar to Giacometti... every artist can identify fully with him.

When I read that Eileen Atkins had written the screenplay for this movie I was eager to watch it.

I must note that I don't think I've read the book - if I did it was decades ago & have forgotten.

So in watching the movie I had no expectations of a movie living up to the book.

I did have other expecations - I love the era portrayed, & British movies. Vanessa Redgrave has always been one of my fàvourite actress's and other actors in this film.

And of course, expectations in knowing Atkins (another favourite actress) wrote the script, & worked closely with the director.

But I was disappointed with the story. I don't mind movies going back & forth from the past to now, portraying past memories & all. But any understanding of the characters was void.

I think the entire movie should have been narrated, explaining all the deeper things going on. Clarissa's few narrations did not provide any deep insight.

I could see the portrayal of contrast in the snobby high society types vs the reality of the one focused-on post-war couple. Their story was the most in-depth & still it was only knee-deep . . .

It was never clear the depth of Clarissa's mental health, or that she even had a mental health issue or not, & I never got invested in any of the characters. The ending was very dull & left things unresolved.

I can give it only 3 stars mostly for a wonderful cast & wardrobe.