Bye Bye Blackbird (2005)

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

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.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Just saw this at a special screening in LA at the American Cinematheque. I normally like most French films, even ones that aren't great. This, however, isn't a French film for about 98% of its running time (the leading man is French, but the entire film save for one scene, is in English - and bad English at that). I couldn't wait to come here to the IMDb because I just knew I'd find some raves - as I was watching this dreadful film I thought no one in their right mind could rave about this - but I always underestimate the people who "review" or stick up their thoughts for the world to read.This film wants so badly to be poetic - pathetic, maybe, poetic, never. The dialogue is wretched, the plot is non-existent, as are the characters. Poor Derek Jacobi eats every piece of scenery in view. The director is a young person, and he's so in love with his little film-school homages and art, but like most youngsters who get to make films these days, he had no clue as to how to tell a story or make an audience give a flying Wallenda about anything they are seeing.I don't know what film the "ravers" saw, but it sure wasn't this one. Different strokes for different folks? I guess there IS a sucker born every minute.

I just saw Bye Bye Blackbird at the EU Film Festival in Chiang Mai last night. My wife chose to see this film because of its positively-looking synopsis. Well, just the title is the tale-tell sign that what the brochure says is not quite true. This is a very dark film about tragedies at a circus, set during the time when such entertainment is on the brink of extinction.Excellently filmed. Beautiful surreal shots. Very moving. You have to be cruel not to shed tears watching it.Superb performances by all brilliant actors and actresses. Although this film is made in Luxemburg, more than 90% of the time the characters do speak European English.

Saw this at the Mill Valley Film Festival. The actor who plays the main character, Joseph, is a grandson of Charlie Chaplin and there is a significant resemblance both in face (Chaplin was a very handsome man without the Little Tramp makeup) and acrobatic grace.Much of the film takes place in an early 20th century European circus. The story was inspired by a Kafka story about a circus performer who refuses to leave his trapeze (in the story, you never learn why).The film is beautifully photographed and has many exquisite effects, but the melodramatic plot and lame dialog resulted in many unintended laughs as far as I was concerned (but nearby audience members were eating it up, so different strokes for different folks). Jodhi May badly cast as gypsy with a heart of gold. Director Savary spoke at film fest and said he believes in as little dialog as possible; to that end, he didn't bother to subtitle several sequences in which characters spoke French or English. That's okay, what dialog there is was pretty bad. I'd say this director is all eye, no ear. Derek Jacobi chews the scenery (he's supposed to, character-wise, but it's a badly written character).

The first portion of this film is gorgeous and mysterious and mesmerizing. Then it just degenerates into strange soliloquies and depression. It even adds a bit of depravity thrown in for good measure. It's as if the writer was trying to say something profound. But he really doesn't. It's a confusing mess at the end. The pacing, editing, design, and even the acting are so wonderful in the first part of the film. Unfortunately, most of these elements become tiresome by the end. Such a shame because the first 3/5th of the film is really amazing. Wish they'd taken more time to flesh out the ending.I'd still recommend seeing it though. This director should have a bright future. I would watch it again myself.