Lorna’s Silence (2008/Sony
DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Film: B-
Jean-Pierre
& Luc Dardenne are filmmaking brothers who have created quite a track
record of smart, mature, adult, ambitious and consistent films about living and
the darker side of life. Their latest
film, Lorna’s Silence (2008) is no
exception; a capable drama about the title character (a very compelling Arta
Dobroshi) stuck in a bad set of situations.
On the one hand, she is dealing with murderous drug dealers who intend
to expand their business with new Russian connections. On the other, she has to help set up a very
ill addict (Dardenne regular Jérémie Renier, convincing as ever) to be killed
for the deal to work. Too bad she falls
in love with him.
Instead
of the kind of tired, boring, formulaic, action situation this would degenerate
into by (usually young) filmmakers who do not know what to do with anything
serious, the Dardennes make this a somewhat complex character study that has
some poignant moments and developments that are not expected or the kind you
would usually see. There are a few bold
moments to go with all this and though some of it was still one too many things
I had seen before, there is more than enough to recommend this film for serious
viewers and reminds me how underrated the Dardennes really are.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is not bad, but a little softer for a
new film than expected, but it may just be the limits of the DVD as well as the
transfer. Otherwise, Director of Photography
Alain Marcoen (another solid Dardenne regular) delivers a very good looking
film with many smart choices throughout that propel the narrative as better
cinematographers are capable of. The
editing is a plus. The Dolby Digital French
5.1 mix is not bad, but this is a dialogue-based soundtrack with limited music
and more than a few moments of silence.
The combination is more than watchable and we look forward to a Blu-ray
edition.
The only
extra is a trailer, but you can read more about their films at these links, but
note the latter two are out of print, though copies are still available at
affordable prices:
L’Enfant/The Child
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4070/L'Enfant+(The+Child/2005)
Le Fils/The Son
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1065/The+Son+(Le+Fils,+2002)
La Promesse/The Promise
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/290/La+Promesse
- Nicholas Sheffo
