Wild At Heart
Gérard Depardieu has always been an actor I have never really latched onto (much like Marlon Brando) who is known for some wonderful work in movies that don’t always overly excite me (aka “Man In The Iron Mask” or “1492: Conquest of Paradise”). Then comes along a movie like “My Afternoons with Margueritte” in which the illiterate, an often mocked, Germain (played by Depardieu) works only the odd jobs he can gather as well as still living in a trailer on his harping mother’s yard. Germain means well though does not always successfully explain himself. He is known as a good gardener and he lives to visit the pigeons at the neighboring park (of which he has named them).
One day, Germain meets Margueritte (96 year old Gisèle Casadesus) at the park and strikes up a friendship. He shares the names of the birds at the park and she reads him some excerpts from the book she is reading (“The Plague” by Albert Camus). She is an avid reader while Germain finds reading almost painful. Despite his mental handicap, he is overwhelmed by Margueritte’s passion for reading and meets her on the park bench regularly for afternoon readings.
The pair are an interesting odd couple with Germain being a tall, massive yet ignorant man and Margueritte being an articulate, frail old lady. This difference does not matter to them as they develop a strong bond, that despite a few missteps, blossoms into something bordering on a star-crossed lovers/mother-son theme. They also work as a wonderful screen duo and when they are on screen together, the movie soars which thankfully is often. Both give off exceptional performances with what could easily have been a bland story.
The only slight flaw in the film might be the end of the film which wraps up a bit too neat at the final stage of their friendship their friendship is threatened by the uncaring actions of family members. Still this is a bright spot in a season without that many notable movies. I highly recommend this wonderful film. The movie starts Friday, October 14 at the Maple Art Theatre.
My grade is an A
10/13/11
Wild At Heart movie review = My Afternoons with Margueritte
