This film is different in storyline in comparison to writer-director Sally Potter's two previous endeavours: ORLANDO 1992, and THE TANGO LESSON 1997. The subject matter of THE MAN WHO CRIED is more of the stuff of Hollywood drama, yet Potter treats the film with equal sensitivity, keen sensibility and attention to detail in every respect of the production: music (there's a lot of it, including operatic recitals); cinematography (challenging with shots of fire and water a-mixed, and underwater captures); set decoration, costumes, art direction that cover snowy rural Russia to enchanting city of Paris, to stage production scenarios to Gypsy camp grounds, and more; special effects, visual effects, sound effects, and stunts; a fantastic ensemble cast with impeccable collaboration. Already twice worked together before, Ricci and Depp appear comfortable side by side as a pair of war-torn lovers with diverse backgrounds. Yes, it's a perfect Hollywood romance, an engaging tearjerker of a tale with singing, dancing and magical moments, too. Streets of Paris will feel different after a visual fête of three Romanies performing on three galloping horses!
The film's French title is "Les larmes d'un homme" = the tears of a man. The man who teared can very well be Fegele's (Suzie's childhood 1927 Russian name) father, yet definitely would also mean Suzie's Romany (Gypsy) bosom friend Cesar portrayed by Johnny Depp. As always, Depp didn't have to say much, a glance from his eyes and a turn of his head conveys enough emotions. Suzie is sensitively delivered by a thinner looking Christina Ricci - at first glance you might doubt if the lean face a-singing is that of hers. With Potter's poignant love story - this is definitely a more mature role that included intimate scenes - Ricci's no longer the pudgy-looking teenage Wendy from "The Ice Storm" 1997, she is more demure than the brash Dedee in "The Opposite of Sex" 1998. Being a revue dancer in Paris, she actually gets to look glamourous in THE MAN WHO CRIED, along with Cate Blanchett who's Lola, Suzie's roommate and companion from the same dance troupe. Blanchett's performance reminds me of Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice," a delicate sophistication and accent, Cate holds her own delivering a Lola we empathize through her reveled past flashes, and felt her suppressed sorrow within. Tuturro is Tuturro, emphatic in his role of Dante the arrogant Italian maestro. Due credit to Claudia Lander-Duke as the very young Fegele - her radiant smile and expressive face and singing voice truly capture attention.
If you feel like a dose of nostalgic drama with wonderful performances, try Sally Potter's "The Man Who Cried."
The film's French title is "Les larmes d'un homme" = the tears of a man. The man who teared can very well be Fegele's (Suzie's childhood 1927 Russian name) father, yet definitely would also mean Suzie's Romany (Gypsy) bosom friend Cesar portrayed by Johnny Depp. As always, Depp didn't have to say much, a glance from his eyes and a turn of his head conveys enough emotions. Suzie is sensitively delivered by a thinner looking Christina Ricci - at first glance you might doubt if the lean face a-singing is that of hers. With Potter's poignant love story - this is definitely a more mature role that included intimate scenes - Ricci's no longer the pudgy-looking teenage Wendy from "The Ice Storm" 1997, she is more demure than the brash Dedee in "The Opposite of Sex" 1998. Being a revue dancer in Paris, she actually gets to look glamourous in THE MAN WHO CRIED, along with Cate Blanchett who's Lola, Suzie's roommate and companion from the same dance troupe. Blanchett's performance reminds me of Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice," a delicate sophistication and accent, Cate holds her own delivering a Lola we empathize through her reveled past flashes, and felt her suppressed sorrow within. Tuturro is Tuturro, emphatic in his role of Dante the arrogant Italian maestro. Due credit to Claudia Lander-Duke as the very young Fegele - her radiant smile and expressive face and singing voice truly capture attention.
If you feel like a dose of nostalgic drama with wonderful performances, try Sally Potter's "The Man Who Cried."