The Beat That My Heart Skipped
(or french title: De Battre Mon Coeur S’est Arrêté)
I give this film 6.5 out of 10. I didn’t really see it as having so much of a major point except perhaps being a character study and the main character wasn’t wholly satisfying enough for me to really enjoy the film as a whole. It’s a pity because it had a really interesting premise as sort of focusing one’s life more positively on music, in this case specifically in terms of possibly becoming a concert pianist. There was a great deal of pain for the main character to overcome in terms of loss of parents and yet I found him very opaque and inpenetratable. He has some piano talent but for most of the film is very mechanical in the way he approaches the Bach composition he’s chosen like he’s holding back. Of course, it evolves somewhat but I found Shine to be a much more fulfilling film in that respect. As a day job, the main character runs around doing such charming things as unleashing rats in the residences of those who won’t pay their landlord dues or beating on squatters. When he’s not busy being an utter brute with this occupational hazard, he’s insulting women and having an affair with his friend’s wife after having covered for him on all of his affairs. After a while, I grew tired of his entire personality. I didn’t feel sorry for him or root for him or ache for him to have some huge catharsis. Clearly, I think the script writer and casting director were trying to bank too much on physical attractiveness for what the character and the writing lacked.
I also didn’t feel the film ended with enough closure to satisfy me. Oh, and there’s a substantial portion of the film spoken in Mandarin, which is never translated for us. I am guessing this is done for effect as the main character is unable to understand it either and this piano teacher does not speak any French. I’m not sure whether the orginal film this is a remake of used this same technique but I personally find it a bit nauseating. When words are spoken, I’d like to know what they are. It’s just a personal preference. I suppose one could say the words were supposed to be a bit like music…like piano notes but I feel that comparison is a stretch.
(Now playing: Coralie Clément: Bye Bye Beauté)Now, I just wanted to say that yes, I finally figured out how to use the Character Map on my computer. Better late than never. (I know, I know…)