Providence tells the story of Clive Langham (John Gielgud), a dying author who is trying to finish his last work before he leaves. He tries to complete a novel, the characters of which are based on his own family members, but little by little we realize that his perception of these elements is are modified in a surreal environment full of symbolism. He plays fairly well with that perspective: he makes it credible thanks to great, felt performances especially by the great Dirk Bogarde and David Warner that makes it's way through rigorous drafting to look natural and improvised. Alain Resnais here has the time to impose succulent in between and innuendos, fantastic metaphors, and intelligent, thoughtful ramifications of the human condition. It totally shakes up the narrative of what it means to be a film and introduces many elements that are used more commonly today such as the 4th wall break and dream sequences and his cinematography is slow moving, yet smooth, just like drinking wine. The photography and production design are lush. I especially enjoyed the scenes shot at the Garden, the H. R. Giger paintings on the wall in one scene somewhat mystifying. Elitesque and superb. There are so many great lines from the film like:
Where Dirk Bogarde says to his lunch companion, "What's the matter with you? We've known each other for thirty years and trusted each other for nearly ten."
"Successful, civilised, tolerant, intelligent. And somewhere behind it all we scream. We scream. Soundlessly."
'I despise violence, it smacks of spontaneity.' Dirk Bogarde
Needless to say, "Providence" is a must for Arthouse fans.
"Successful, civilised, tolerant, intelligent. And somewhere behind it all we scream. We scream. Soundlessly."
'I despise violence, it smacks of spontaneity.' Dirk Bogarde
Needless to say, "Providence" is a must for Arthouse fans.