I cannot remember the episode in particular, but recently in Jerry Seinfield's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee there was a discussion about raising children, with one of the people having let their child see a film or something meant for an older audience – although ill-advised, the general agreement was that no matter what you do, something will mess your kids up and it will probably be something you as an adult didn't even think was important but later comes out while they lie on a couch paying $500 per hour. This was funnier to have them deliver it, but it does have an element of truth because for all of us we remember events from childhood which are comparatively inconsequential but at the same time, represent a massive point in our life or development.
The reason for that preamble is that this film is very much about one such event – not one of minor significance, but still one that is personal to the lead character. As such it is a very contained piece that shows us a young girl and her excitement and simple joy, and then that moment where she has to deal with loss and the reality of the world for the first time. The manner of delivery is what makes the film memorable but also maybe one not for everyone; given the content, the film could have gone for more emotion and impact within the frame of the film, but instead it is much more slow paced and unwilling to rush something. This approach does mean that the film is very slow to watch, but it is also quite rewarding to see small moments play out, and also recognition that such events are normally bigger when looked back upon. So we do not have everything spelt out for us, but at the same time we do have the hint that the event has partly moved the girl from being an excited schoolgirl talking about her animals, into a slightly more mature position. It is surprisingly impacting and rewarding considering really how little it does.
The slow pace works quite well because of the narrative patience, but also because of the manner it is shot. It makes the most of the cold Canadian setting and visually it is beautiful, with plenty of great shots with lovely detail and framing. I guess it could be accused of being a little pretentious and deliberate in what it does, but I didn't think it ever forced this pace, or did things for the sake of it, but rather than the whole package had the same design. While some static moments produce some beautiful images, I particularly liked the smaller moments – for example the camera closely observing the number of garments Noemy wears that comes from Lady Gray.
You need to be patient with it, because it is glacially paced, but it does so for a reason and it is surprisingly responsible and observant in terms of its beautiful cinematography as well as its attention to its main character.
The reason for that preamble is that this film is very much about one such event – not one of minor significance, but still one that is personal to the lead character. As such it is a very contained piece that shows us a young girl and her excitement and simple joy, and then that moment where she has to deal with loss and the reality of the world for the first time. The manner of delivery is what makes the film memorable but also maybe one not for everyone; given the content, the film could have gone for more emotion and impact within the frame of the film, but instead it is much more slow paced and unwilling to rush something. This approach does mean that the film is very slow to watch, but it is also quite rewarding to see small moments play out, and also recognition that such events are normally bigger when looked back upon. So we do not have everything spelt out for us, but at the same time we do have the hint that the event has partly moved the girl from being an excited schoolgirl talking about her animals, into a slightly more mature position. It is surprisingly impacting and rewarding considering really how little it does.
The slow pace works quite well because of the narrative patience, but also because of the manner it is shot. It makes the most of the cold Canadian setting and visually it is beautiful, with plenty of great shots with lovely detail and framing. I guess it could be accused of being a little pretentious and deliberate in what it does, but I didn't think it ever forced this pace, or did things for the sake of it, but rather than the whole package had the same design. While some static moments produce some beautiful images, I particularly liked the smaller moments – for example the camera closely observing the number of garments Noemy wears that comes from Lady Gray.
You need to be patient with it, because it is glacially paced, but it does so for a reason and it is surprisingly responsible and observant in terms of its beautiful cinematography as well as its attention to its main character.
