Movie reviews

HOUSE OF GUCCI

Recommended. It starts with cinematography looking as if the film was from 1978 when the action begins. Star cast sees Lady Gaga and Adam Driver in the leading roles and Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Jared Leto in supporting ones. Director Ridley Scott is in top form as he tells the story of a woman who lost her senses first conniving to promote her husband in the clan, next trying to hang onto the heir to the Gucci empire. She's not the only one to blame. Never wrong a woman, as they say. The brilliant line: "Father, Son and the House of Gucci" has a double meaning in the story. Yet the movie has a lucid plot. The events are accompanied by well-matching music whether it's dynamic pop or sombre opera. The rich and the famous act the rich and the famous and the plot keeps you in suspense.

DONNE MOI DES AILES (SPREAD YOUR WINGS)

Watchable. Polish dubbing sounds so warm and natural you barely notice it's a French-Norwegian co-production. This actors' film is very informative ornithologically and offers plenty of air views of barren Norwegian landscapes. The land's cloud-clad and foggy so it's not really impressive. The tale is simple and the main storyline predictable.

BENEDETTA

Recommended. An erotic movie about nuns? Paul Verhoeven does pull it off. Who else would? The "Basic Instinct" and "Showgirls" creator has made a career out of racy content. This time the provocative thinker chucks his hat in the ring saying what other people are thinking about the Church and nuns. His approach is a lot more liberal than his predecessors'. It's already the third burning at the stake at cinemas this year, after "The Reckoning" and "Lux Æterna". This one's the best of the three and it's based on facts - quite accurately.To the point he never makes it clear if she's cunning or a saint. Or both? Verhoeven has a mercifully realistic understanding of the timeline dynamics of human relationships. But also of a lockdown during an epidemic, suppressed sexuality, sadism towards women, a woman being a sex predator. While based on historical facts, it can be viewed as an allegory of modern-day conflicts. Very entertaining: with suspense, intrigues, sex scenes, visual effects, but with serious undertones. Curvy Virginie Efira stars in the leading role.

ALINE

Recommended. Céline Dion's biography: informative, imaginatively presented, even hilarious at times, but most importantly totally engaging even if you've never been a fan. Superbly written, directed and acted by Valérie Lemercier as the singer.