Trois Couleurs: Bleu (1993)

Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski. Starring Juliette Binoche, Benoît Régent, Charlotte Véry, Florence Pernel, Florence Vignon, Emmanuelle Riva, Hélène Vincent, Philippe Volter. [R]

After her husband and child die in a car crash, Binoche attempts to retreat from everything she once had (house sold, husband’s work destroyed, ties with her mother severed, etc.), but finds it difficult, if not impossible, to abandon her past outright. Unevenly-paced but fascinating drama is artfully lit, photographed and edited—as expected from the title, color plays an important role, with the blue motif used to memorable effect as a calming but melancholy presence. While delivering a brilliantly understated but passionate performance, Binoche dominates as a somewhat enigmatic and unsympathetic character, but those dealing with grief are often difficult and unpredictable; her prickly nature staves off the confrontational and prevents the film from becoming fully absorbing, and the striking final sequence may be a visual marvel, but not an emotional one. First part of the Trois Couleurs (Three Colours) trilogy, each one themed from the colors of the French flag (and revolutionary motto); blue represents “liberty,” though it is, of course, not the sort of freedom that most would ever wish for.

72/100