The Artist and the Model (2013)

One of my all time favorites.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

The Artist and the Model (2012)This is a movie, a poem, about the existence of beauty and meaning in art, and in the life of an artist. in France during WWILThis is an impossible subject for any movie—it demands too much be spelled out. The more obtuse, abstract, and indirect it is the better. Luckily that's where this movie tries to go. Where it fails is when it specifies its ideas. It sometimes states its wisdom. There is another better movie somewhere—not yet made—that could touch these ideas and imbue them with fullness without making it concrete. That one is the masterpiece.In a way the fact I'm talking about this is proof that something happens here. It's a gorgeous, thoughtful movie. The old—very old—sculptor finds a young—very young— model and seems to come to life again. And in his work in these last years he finds something deep and lasting, or seemingly so. The model, in her own naive way, is actually more enriched than he is by all of this, and we see her enlightenment in small ways, even if on some level she doesn't care, not in the way the artist does. But the artist is the center of things here, in a brilliant performance. His work, what they show of it in the movie (I speak as an artist and art historian), is pathetic and weak, and in a way that's an achilles heel here—-his huge inspiration is just another cemetery sculpture, nothing much after all. Maybe that's the hidden intention, but I don't think so. The film is a gorgeous, simple black and white widescreen filming that is perfect for the material. The plot is simple—there are just a couple of interesting interruptions to the model and the artist working and growing together. At the end of the day and the end of life for the old man, it all presses on us as we watch—hence the pathos. One of the stars is the French countryside itself—the olive oil on bread, the light through the trees. In a way it's a poem to a perfect existence, as much as life allows on this small planet.See this? It really depends. It's a patient movie—requiring patience, as well. But it's beautiful and warm. And the acting is excellent. The torch is passed. The war is ending. Hope has some kind of connection to the profound, and the understanding that life is more than just the day's needs.

One review here called this film "bleak". I thought it anything but.Marc Cros (played by Jean Rochefort) is an observer--of life, of nature, of beauty, of life's rhythms--like any true artist must be. His is a special quest, a search for inspiration and for a project that is worthy of his time. He finds a young model named Merce (played by Aida Folch) and sets out to find his inspiration.Art might be viewed as an abstract principle or as a part of life. Cros's search is a philosophical one, but it takes place during the Nazi occupation of his homeland, France. At one point, the war invades his artistic sanctuary, but he is skilled at focusing on beauty even in such circumstances.In the end, "The Artist and the Model" shows us the fleeting nature of inspiration, the transience and persistence of beauty, and the sometimes obsessive nature of the artist in finding his inspiration.

... director Joseph Guzman's controversial 2010 consideration of similar themes to those dealt with by Fernando Trueba in THE ARTIST AND THE MODEL, the latter movie tries its best, mixing together nude models, Nazis, and at least one gun key to its plot. A tad more contemplative than the former flick, MODEL centers on multiple love triangles. There's Mr. Artist's one-time nude model, who's aged into a different perspective, and her relationship with her husband's latest unclothed muse. On top of that, there's the pyramid formed by the artist, his most recent Au Naturel poser chick, and the mysterious wounded guy who turns up in the woods. Finally, there's this said sculptor, his Nazi biographer, and the kraut's adjutant--just try to figure out how this trio fits together. With a passel of voyeuristic school kids thrown in for good measure, perhaps Trueba has bitten off more than he chews. I, for one, find his gun violence LESS pleasing than that contained in the NUDE NUNS flick.

Splendid film from the Academy Award winning director of ¨Belle Epoque¨ and ¨Chico and Rita¨ . It deals with a semi-retired sculptor Marc Cros (Jean Rochefort) , an old artist , lives with his wife named Lea (performed by ex-Italian bombshell Claudia Cardinale) who is now in his seventies and thickly bespectacled housekeeper (Chus Lampreave) , all of them reside in the rural south of France , in the middle but safe of the WWII that rages in the distance . He seems to have reached the end of his life and of his art . One day, Léa gives shelter to a marvelous young Spanish political refugee called Mercè (Aida Folch) . Their life is simplistic and gentle , experiencing little impact from the war that rages on in the north of the occupied country by Nazis (Gotz Otto) . The arrival of the young girl inspires the artist to once again to draw and develop his artistic skills . Marc soon understands that the girl, who agrees to pose for him, inspires him and gives life .Enjoyable drama with historical elements about France occupation from Nazis ; including enjoyable performances , adequate set design and delightfully shot . Thought-provoking as well as touching tale about an elderly sculptor who embarks on this last artistic and sensual adventure . ¨The artist and the model¨ results to be an agreeable story to deal with youthful , beauty , art , being developed in mirth , lively and vital style , though a sad ending . A very pleasant drama , plenty of sensitivity , emotion , artistic scenes and abundant nudism in charge of Aida Folch . This is Trueba's return to top form, with an intelligent and engaging script which uses entertaining situations to give us a good movie in a high sense and intimate sensitivity and that kept me entertained for the almost two hours of duration . It is well set and is as marvelously filmed as it is written and acted . This is one of those rare gems that does not stray from its purpose - to be a celebration of love , nature , and romance and sensitive tale of an old man to seek and find the beauty . Oscarized director Fernando Trueba , also writes the interesting script along with prestigious screenwriter Jean Claude Carriere , Luis Buñuel's ordinary . Filmed in his usual formal and luxurious style , without leaving a trace the joyful themes , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . The tone of The Artist and The Model is warm and reflective, centred on the contrasting dynamic of the gypsy -like Mercè , Aida Folch - housed by our couple , Rochefort-Cardinale , after escaping war-torn Spain - and the wizened, yet passionate Marc . The film is light and never somber, no small accomplishment from Fernando Trueba and his team . Starring French character actor Jean Rochefort - adds to the director's already eclectic oeuvre, making for satisfying viewing. Fernando Trueba had thought about doing this movie for years but it wasn't until his choice for the character Jean Rochefort called him up and said that he was going to retire that Trueba finally decided to go ahead and do it. When Fernando Trueba discussed the idea of the movie with Aida Folch, without even a screenplay, Folch left everything in Spain and moved to Paris for a few months to learn French properly and be ready for the project. Very good secondary cast formed by familiar faces such as Chus Lampreave , Gotz Otto and veteran Claudia Cardinale . Luxurious and evocative cinematography in black and white, shot in sumptuous monochrome , by Daniel Vilar , one of the best Spanish cameramen who has efficiently worked in Hollywood .Being filmed on location in wonderful landscapes from Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales, France ,Olot, Girona, Catalonia, Spain . Trueba had had this project in store since 1990 , initially he was to make this film in collaboration with Maximo, his sculptor brother , but his brother died and he gave up the whole thing until 2010. In fact , the film is dedicated to his brother , Maximo Trueba , and sound engineer , Pierre Genet , both of whom sadly deceased .This simple , attractive and delightful motion picture was well directed by Oscar-winning director Fernando Trueba , as the flick is entertaining and well worth your time . His first success was Ópera Prima (1980) following the style of the "Madrid comedy". Trueba had major success with Sé Infiel y No mires Quién (1985) also known as : Be Wanton and Tread No Shame , starting a longer collaboration with the producer Andrés Vicente Gómez . He went on directing numerous successes such as Coarse salt , Too Much , Year of Enlightment , Milagro de Candeal , Niña De Tus Ojos or The Girl of Your Dreams , Calle 54 , Embrujo De Shanghai , Chico and Rita and recently : The Artist and the Model. The multi-award winner in Spain Fernando Trueba was President of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and he received the 1994 Oscar for Best Foreign Film to Belle Epoque (1992)and when accepting his Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, director (Fernando Trueba) said: "I would like to believe in God in order to thank him for this prize, but I only believe in (Billy Wilder), so... Thank you, Mr. Wilder!". Wilder himself reportedly phoned Trueba a few days later for acknowledgment and told him: "Hello Fernando, I'm God".