La Tourneuse de pages (The Page Turner)
This dark, melancholic film centres around Mélanie Prouvost and her quest for revenge on famous pianist Ariane Fouchecour for ruining an audition she had in her youth, which consequently stopped her from playing the piano.
As a twenty year old Mélanie begins a job at the Ariane's husbands firm and before too long offers her services as a nanny for their son, at their home. She meets his wife, the famous pianist who is so impressed by her, and her musical skill, employs her as her page turner. She soon becomes completely consumed and obsessed by her, physically and emotionally. Mélanie plans her final act of revenge. An act of revenge that will change their lives forever. Nothing will ever be the same.
Déborah François who plays Mélanie is superb, her composure and calmness throughout the film really increases the dramatic tension. The beautiful, classical, orchestrated score adds to the overall eerie effect, it works well with the pace of the film, which reminded me of Notes on a Scandal.
Thumbsucker
Hailed as "the best film of its kind since Donnie Darko" (by the Telegraph) Thumbsucker is, unsurprisingly about a boy who sucks his thumb. He does stop sucking it but that isn’t the end of the story.
Justin is geeky, unpopular with some severe self confidence issues. After his orthadontist (played by a surreal Keanu Reeves) hypnotises him into stopping sucking his thumb and changing his moods. Justin starts taking medication for ADHD. This encourages him to join the school debate club and consequently perform in the state finals. But then he stops. And then he starts smoking pot.
Good as this film is, there are hardly any likeable characters (apart from the fantastic Tilda Swinton playing Justin's mother). It keeps on for a little too long but I think that adds to it’s kooky edge. Vince Vaughn is in it but don't let that put you off. Unlike many of the films putting on it’s faux “art house” style and look, Thumbsucker is genuinely a strange but enjoyable film. The cinematography is patterned throughout, and the young directors skill is really apparent in a series of repetitive counter shots that occur a few times in the film.
