|
| Movie Review: Ricky Alternate Title: Up in the Air
Story: What happens to very
ordinary people when something extraordinary happens in their lives?
Director and writer François Ozon tackles this
interesting subject matter with flair and grace. The film is based on
“Moth,” a short story by Rose Tremain.
Chemical factory worker Katie, lives with her
seven year old daughter in a concrete housing complex in France. She
meets a co-worker and before you can snap your fingers they are living
together and have a baby. The seven year old names him Ricky. Director
Ozon handles the first part of the film like any other family drama.
There are ups and there are downs in everyone's lives. Soon enough,
there are mostly ups - but the ups come in the form of Ricky's sprouting
wings and beginning to fly. The film shifts into another type of film at
this point in time. It turns to a lovely hint of magic realism with
a splash of allegory. Ricky's ability to fly, depending on your point
of view, can be a nightmare or a gift. How do Ricky's parents cope?
What will they decide to do? How can Ricky be pinned down? The production values are top rate. From sensing
the interior lives of these people to the wonder of Ricky's flights
are all top notch. This film transported me, for a very short time,
to a terrific uplifting place. This film has legs - or should I say
wings. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y4LhXjrsbQ Acting: Alexandra Lamy as Katie is terrific as is
Sergi Lopez as Paco. Little Mélusine
Mayance as seven year od Lisa is marvelous. Arthur
Peyret as flying baby Ricky is adorable. Trivia: Sergi Lopez frequently plays unsympathetic
characters such as abusive boyfriends, heartless con men, and psychopaths.
His family was Republican during the Spanish Civil War, ironic as he
played the pro-Franco, fascist Captain Vidal in Pan's Labyrinth. In
2001 he won the César for his role in Dominick Moll's "Harry,
Un Ami Qui Veut du Bien." This role came to define his mastery
on villainous roles which continued in "Solo Mia" with Paz
Vega as his battered wife, Stephen Frears' "Dirty Pretty Things"
with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Audrey Tautou as his scared pawns, and Guillermo
del Toro's "El Laberinto del Fauno" with post-Civil Spain
as playground for his Vidal's sadism.
Predilection: The idea of a flying baby was very
interesting to me.
Critters: Birds
Food: Eggs and sausages and some chicken wings that
looked very much like Ricky's early sprouts.
Sex Spectrum: It is a French film.
Soundtrack: I cannot recall.
Opening Titles: All credits and title are at the
end.
Visual Art: Terrific visuals
Theater Audience: It was only my sister and me in
one of the new 35 seat theaters at the IFC. A terrific surprise private
showing. We shared some holiday cookies and small chit chat without
disturbances from anyone.
Weather: The film mostly seemed gray except when Ricky
was airborne.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout.
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. You could
also rent Odon's other fine films - Swimming Pool and Under the Sand.
Length: 90 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
|