December 12th

The Ideal Palace
Marianne and Leonard

Not so many this week. I review a wonderful doco, fresh out of JIFF and paying homage to one of the world's most revered songwriters, is released this week, along with an unusual and touching French film, based on a most unlikely true story. 

The Ideal Palace
Director: Nils Tavernier
Length: 105 min
Exclusive to cinema Nova for 3 weeks, then screening more broadly

©  Vendetta -The true story
of a French postman, who takes up building 
as a passion. 

France 1879: Postman Joseph Cheval (Jacques Gamblin) is a quiet unassuming man (possibly he has Aspergers). He has just buried his wife and sent his small son Cyrille to live with relatives. As a rural postman he trudges countless miles each day. On his rounds two extraordinary things happen - 1) he meets widow Philomene (Laetitia Casta) and quickly marries her. 2) he stumbles upon a rock which inspires him to build a palace, which he dedicates to his new daughter Alice (Zelie Rixhon). Even more extraordinary is that this is a true story. Joseph built tirelessly for 33 years, despite being totally untrained in masonry or architecture. This is a most unusual and enchanting film, which moves slowly, building up its emotional clout, to become truly affecting by the end. The quiet relationship between the strange man, who lives in his imagination, and his faithful wife is touchingly drawn, while the progressive architectural works, reminiscent of a Hindu temple, are stunningly recreated. Cheval's initial inability to cope with children, and the changes he undergoes, will tug your heartstrings, while the cinematography of the French countryside is awe-inspiringly beautiful.

4 - highly recommended!

Marianne and Leonard: Words of Love
Director: Nick Broomfield
Length: 102 min

©  Universal -  love blooms on the 
idyllic Greek island of Hydra. Then Leonard
Cohen hits the big time as a song-writer. 

Leonard Cohen was one of the greatest poets and songwriters of his era. For eight years he was intensely involved with Norwegian woman Marianne Ihlen, and they lived on and off on the idyllic Greek island of Hydra which had a vibrant bohemian artistic scene. Later their lingering relationship became more sporadic, and crossed continents with Leonard involved with many other women between returning to Marianne. She was considered his muse, but life in that role was no bed of roses. In this warts and all doco, using the love story as its anchor, we discover Leonard in his varied guises - tortured genius, intense lover, depressive, and, according to some, at times very funny. It is also a window into a time, when authors and musicians lived the hedonistic life (don't they still??) and used everything as fodder for their creativity. Featuring some terrific footage of the great man performing live, and other singers like Judy Collins adding their insights, this is a fascinating tribute to an incredible artist, and not to be missed by Cohen lovers or indeed any music lovers.
4 - highly recommended!