ORPHÉE (Orpheus, 1949) ***1/2 Jean Cocteau may or may not have been the titular head of a secret organization that may or may not have had secret knowledge having to do with some historic figure or figures. Whatever the case he certainly possessed, or was possessed by, extraordinary poetic sensibilities. There's a brawl in the poet's cafe', a poet dies, another poet doesn't take part. The pacifist poet is caught in the death in life of a listless marriage and is soon channeling the dead poet in his (pacifist poet) death's Rolls Royce. He falls in love with his death, as does she with him, which leads to a subterranean trial whereby some uninspired old men keep insisting that people sign things. Although pacifist poet and his death are finally joyously reunited and are free to go on he is returned to his wife, where they are delighted to resume where they left off. This film is so beautiful visually that it would make a great deal of sense to watch it with the sound, and every light in the house, turned off. Unfortunately that way you'd miss all of Cocteau's great lines, unless you allowed yourself to be swept into the subtitles which would limit the visual effect. The actors embody the limitations of casting based on who looks the part. It cries out for a remake. Unfortunately the most important ingredient is Cocteau, who is dead. But is he available?
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films home
go back home, or send me email
no more reviews! I want to buy your novel!