Thursday, June 09, 2011
Michael Allen
Black Heaven is a film from Gilles Marchand (Who Killed Bambi?), which centrally stars Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet and Louise Bourgoin. Released April 12th on various platforms, Black Heaven or L'Autre Monde (The Other World) warns viewers of those mermaids of the sea, who sometimes appear in film, seducing characters and enticing watchers to see what happens next. The beautiful Bourgoin plays the vixen, while Leprnce-Ringuet as Gaspard plays the soon to be trapped. This is a trap that you do not want to be caught in, as a suicide club turns to murder, when there are no more volunteers to cross over. Black Heaven is compelling for asking that age-old, and unaswerable question: is there life after death?
If you said yes, then you need to show this reviewer proof. However, the film is smart enough not to ask this question upfront, but this topic is interwoven into the compelling narrative. The plotline follows Gaspard as he enjoys some time alone, with his parents away and on vacation. He uses his time to seduce Marion and later, he is seduced by Audrey (Bourgoin). However, this femme fatale is brutally damaged and her attempt to end her life brings Gaspard closer, into her mystery. The love triangle begins and the use of a conflicted romantic theme is as old as Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White and even farther back in time. Remember Helen of Troy? There is no resolution to Gaspard's now sprung trap, or for others emotionally damaged bliss, until Gaspard makes a hard choice.
Gaspard makes the wrong choice, initially. He hurts the young Marion, in favour of Audrey. Audrey hurts Gaspard, by sleeping with his friends and Audrey's brother, Ludo (Ali Marhyar) threatens to hurt everyone. There is an underlining theme of mental instability in the film, which seems to draw some characters in more strongly than others. After all, we all want to be close to beauty, even when it has a painful price.
Soon, the protagonist, Gaspard, unearths the source of the discontent, but by this time he is too late. He is already stuck to the honey and before a Masada-like event can happen, another tragedy strikes. Without revealing major spoilers, let us say that one character is a little too determined to find out if there truly is life after death.
Black Heaven is three things: sexy, intriguing and full of unsolvable questions. The story is told on two planes, as well. There is the virtual world, where the beautiful and troubled hide out from reality. The second plane of existence is the day-to-day physical world, where the duller Marion exists. Guess which world Gaspard is drawn to, in search of physical beauty? This is no Lawnmower Man, but Marchand updates the love triangle theme by introducing distracting elements that are everywhere in people's lives - technology. The result is an interesting film, which does not shy away from asking the characters to make difficult choices and secondarily, to invite viewers to question their beliefs.
Black Heaven is a French film, with enough style and fluidity to draw in most viewers. Just don't get pulled in too far, as the final scenes will end in shocking fashion. Try to track down this title at your local closing Blockbuster, as the film can be picked up for about the same price as a can of shoe polish. However, Black Heaven is worth so much more. In a world of disposable film, this thriller will show viewers that there are some films that can be rewatched again and again, to find deeper meanings.
Writing/plot/story: 8.5 (a few twists and turns, characters reveal themselves to be a little more devious than initially thought, a solid underlining message of spirituality, existentialism and simple existence).
Acting/believability/interpretation: 8 (strong performances from young characters).
Overall: 8.25 out of 10 (recommended for those who like slower paced European thrillers).
Black Heaven at IFC Films:
Black Heaven Details and Films Stills at IFC FIlms
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Posted in: 2011,black heaven,gilles marchand,gregoire leprince-ringuet,ifc films,movie poster,movie review,thriller
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