[THE LONELIEST PLANET screens Thursday January 17th at 6:45 pm and Friday January 18th at 9:40 pm at the Cleveland Cinematheque.]
Review by Joseph Anthony
Review by Joseph Anthony
THE
LONELIEST PLANET cares not about your preconceived notions
about what films should be. From its shocking first shot to
its lingering end, it is what it is. Directed by Julia Loktev and based on Tom Bissell’s short story, the film follows an engaged couple, Nica (Hani
Furstenberg) and Alex (Gael Garcia Bernal) taking a backpacking trip across the
Caucasus Mountains, in the region
of the former Soviet republic of Georgia.
The early portions of
the film show the couple wandering the countryside, in love and
encountering the locals. Though occasionally interesting to watch, it sometimes becomes
uncomfortable. One's hope is that the couple’s story will lead us somewhere
infinitely more interesting than the almost dialogue free experiences in the
Khevi region. Then, without
warning, our journey begins, only now with a third member - tour guide,
Dato, played by Bidzina Gujabidze.
The
trio encounter
sheep, plant life, rainstorms, and rocky terrain. They climb across
streams on ropes, sing songs, camp and sit around fires. They
periodically discuss the things they encounter or practice various
languages,
none of the conversation particularly gripping, so mostly they walk.
Nevertheless, the imagery is beautiful, giving you a unique glimpse at
Eurasia.
All the while the movie is accompanied by a jolting score that stops and
starts.
Much like its
score, the film stops and starts (though one wonders, did it ever really
start?). One startling encounter and a wrong step will seemingly turn Alex and
Nica’s relationship upside down. Testing them in ways they, or the audience,
could not have predicted. The result is challenging, but the audience has
already given so much to get there that they may find themselves less sympathetic
for the couple.
If you love
watching people walk, the first eighty minutes of this movie will be pure bliss.
However, for many, it will feel overly long. Even for the most patient,
art-loving filmgoers, THE L ONELIEST PLANET may not end up paying off. In the end, the audience feels just as our
backpackers do, burdened and weary.
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