Film Review
Simple mortel is an effective blend of minimalist science-fiction and psychological
thriller which is both visually shocking and profoundly disturbing. It is the work
of Pierre Jolivet, perhaps one of the most underrated French film directors of the 1990s,
who started out as a co-writer/co-producer with another prominent director, Luc Besson.
The idea of a man receiving radio messages from a non-terrestrial source is taken straight
from Jean Cocteau's 1949 classic
Orphée
(perhaps explaining why the main character is named Marais, after the actor who
starred in Cocteau's film).
Simple Mortel develops the idea further
into a chilling thriller which, with the absolute minimum of special effects (and the
maximum of existentialist flair) effectively shows mankind's minuscule place in the universe.
An intense performance from Philippe Volter and the sombre cinematography create an impression
of total isolation, with mankind entirely at the mercy of unseen external forces. The
nights scenes are particularly menacing and very effective at evoking the sense of a hidden
threat.
This is an unusual film which is inspired in both its concept and execution. It
is however slightly marred by a false ending which feels too cosy and simplistic and does
not deliver a satisfying sense of resolution (just how is the world saved?). There
are also just too many plot contrivances for the film to be convincing (why would a celestial
messenger speak to us in a long dead language?). Despite this, the film is recommended
for its originality, daring and impact, and it makes a healthy contrast to the traditional
Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster.
© James Travers 2001
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Next Pierre Jolivet film:
Fred (1997)
Film Synopsis
Stéphane Marais, a researcher in ancient languages, begins to receive bizarre radio
messages in one of the languages he is studying. He is told that he has been chosen
to undertake a task that will save humanity. Stéphane is understandably sceptical
and is certain that he is hallucinating. To convince him, the messages warn
him about disasters just before they happen. Stéphane begins to realise that
he is but a very small cog in a very large machine and that he has no choice but to fulfil
his mission to save the world...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.