Reviews

This film truly is a work of art. And like all art, it's formalized; it doesn't even try to hide its formalism. The shots are squared and rigid, the duologue goes in circles, and there's a certain paralellism to the entire picture. It's not meant to be realistic, but like in all great art, it's by codifying and simplifying that deeper truths are revealed.

Despite its minimalism, I was caught up in this film because the duologue is entrancing, the atmosphere is palpable, and the characters act in such mysterious (yet somehow consistent) ways that even though there are certain patterns to the behaviour, you never really know what's coming next. I suppose this film is a comedy, although you won't find yourself laughing much. It's more a case of being too absurd to be considered a serious, straightforward drama.

"Gouttes d'Eau" is not perfect (whit is?), but it has a certain "je ne sais quoi" lending it a uniqueness that places it in my Top 20. Definitely entrancing and thoroughly thought-provoking.

I disagree - I saw this film almost 4 years ago and I still remember it vividly. I found it hypnotic and beautiful. Why does there need to be a point to it? It's only 7 minutes long, it's not going to be War and Peace.

As for forgettable, perhaps that's subjective. It was my favourite film of the night, and a friend of mine agreed that it was amazing. So there. At least two people loved it.

If you get a chance to see this film, and the others Glass commissioned for this set, I recommend you take it. Worst case scenario, you lose 7 minutes. It's a small investment of time with the possibility of great returns.

Some people who have read James' novella might be off-put by the changes made here: the change of setting, the change of narrator. However, I find that this adaptation is the most faithful to the source of any I have seen. It conveys the mood, the nature of the spectres, and the bewilderment of the novella extremely well.

If you want a grey, word-perfect recitation of the story, you can find it elsewhere, but this captures the nature of the torment better than any other.

I do not recommend it for everyone, however, since you have to leave your expectations at the door.