Kings & Queen (2005, dir. Arnaud Desplechin)

Kings & Queen (2005, dir. Arnaud Desplechin)

What Is It?: A critically acclaimed, though little-seen, French, ah, tragiocomic-romantic-drama? Something like that.

What About It?: Desplechin is well-known is his home country as a terrifically gifted director who makes intricately constructed, but easy-to-enjoy films. Kings & Queen was something of a breakthrough here in the states, though still far under the radar of most filmgoers.

Why Should I See It?: This is a big, sprawling film that still has a sense of intimacy unmatched by any film in the Lost Classic's recent memory, there is so much to recommend this movie. The two main characters, Ismaël and Nora, are engaging and mesmerizing. The narrative is fractured, but not in a painful, Tarantino-esque way, more of a novelistic meandering. The more you see this film, the more you get out of it. For example, there is a scene in the third act that knocked the breath out of us. It was the perfect kind of surprise -- one that enriches everything that came before, rather than undercuts it. This was easily the best film of 2005 (with only the very different The New World coming close). Watch it more than once.

What Else Is It Like?: Thieves, Irma Vep, Nenette et Boni.

Reserve it at the Multnomah County Library

--ddt/pdx