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Krzyszof Kieslowski directs three films whose titles - Blue, White, Red - make up the French flag, the tricolor. All three are directly or loosely connected to France, but the idea that this is a statement about France or being French is far-fetched. The colors are relevant, are variously hinted at and occasionally displayed. The linkage between the three films, however, is puzzling and only partially clear as the credits roll at the end. Juliette Binoche is magnificent as a mysterious widow in "Blue". Music is central to the plot and is a recurring theme in different guises. Engagement, loyalty, love and duty are mixed and separated in different equations; the one constant is the gloriously disengaged Juliette Binoche who achieves moral salvation in spite of her own refusal to make judgements. "White" is about revenge. It is once again a film that focuses on existence from an objective distance, treating rejection, murder, financial trickery and deception, ultimately the most subtly clever revenge as facts devoid of any moral implications. They are simply human facts. People behave like that; they love, they hate; they fail, they succeed; they undertake obligations, they betray. Action begins in Paris but quickly moves to Poland, where the rest of the film is played. "Red" is set in Geneva, French-speaking but not France. Like the two predecing films, it explores an individual's obligations, to neighbors, to dogs, to lovers, against a backdrop of reality - in this case the weather. Everything ultimately depends on the reliability of weather forecasting. We are no more than pawns, despite the attempts we make to be decent, to fulfill our obligations. All this is seen through the eyes of a retired judge, a moral force unafraid to judge himself and his patently antisocial actions. In a final scene the three films are brought together in a manner that is technically satisfying but which remains beautifully nebulous. Reality triumphs, but so do the wishes and ambitions, the decent loyalties of the protagonists. It is a beautiful, perplexing, even troubling trilogy that bears watching more than once.Read full review
I have already experienced Blue and Red. White is on hold for now. But the two I have viewed are better than I expected. In Blue, Juliette Binoche effectively communicated her character's pain following her tragic loss. I was quite moved by her situation and performance. In Red, the randomness of human connections emerges as a salient theme. I was fascinated by some odd pairings. Irene Jacob brought truthfulness to her character. I would like to add that the screen image is clear and colorful, and the subtitles are extremely readable.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Beautifully made picture.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Masterwoirks of film art, with superb commebtary, additionsal features.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
RED is very good
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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