All the action at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, right here!
It has happened before, of course, but not in a long time -- a past winner of the Palme d’Or, Cannes’ top laurels, earns boos at a packed press screening.
The film was Gus van Sant’s much anticipated The Sea of Trees. (Guess who was spotted at the premiere!)
The odd thing is that for a lot of the time into the film, it works. It’s the ending, which actually goes on and on, that makes the film the first dud of this year’s featival line-up. And it is in the exalted Competition section!
Arthur arrives baggage-less at a check-in counter, with a ticket to Tokyo. Yes, he has a booking.
Would he care to book his return journey? No.
Soon it is clear why.
Arthur is heading to Japan’s famous Aokigahara, the Forest of Death. There, people go to end it all.
Arthur has lost his wife and can’t say 'sorry' any other way.
There he comes across Tatsumi Nakamura, who felt the ame but has now changed his mind. He has also lost his way out of the forest. Arthur decides to help him but in the process, loses the path himself.
After much ravishing camera work and wisdom exchanged by the two afforested men, Arthur loses his Japanese companion but not the wood for the trees. He decides life is worth fighting his way out of Aokigahara.
The Sea of Trees is unfailingly lovely to look at and has two standout performances from Matthew McConaughey (Arthur) and Ken Watanabe (Nakamura).
In the picture: Matthew McConaughey and pose during a photocall for The Sea of Trees in Cannes. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/ REUTERS.
***
Woody Allen’s Irrational Man is Out of Competition as his offerings here always are.
In this film, Joaquin Phoenix is a college professor of philosophy, Abe Lucas, who resolves to commit the perfect murder.
The intention rings at least two bells, Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanours and Matchpoint.
But here, it’s neither money nor honour that are at play but existential compassion. He kills to save a perfect unknown from a prejudiced judge’s decision.
There is the ending to which we have become accustomed in these matters from Allen as we have to the wonderful ensemble performances that are a Woody Allen trademark.
In the picture: Emma Stone, Woody Allen and Parker Posey pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of Irrational Man in Cannes. Photograph: Yves Herman / REUTERS
