A forest mural on the side of a building in upper Manhattan (or is it the Bronx?) is about as far from the serene seascapes of Brittany that one can possibly get, and the appearance of abandoned NYC apartment blocks that appear moments before this final shot is incredibly jarring, given the tone and setting of the 124 minutes that preceded it. The film of course is Alain Resnais' Mon Oncle d'Amerique from 1980.
One of Resnais' most challenging films, it's an interesting experiment that attempts to creative a loose narrative built around the behavioral theories of Dr. Henri Laborit, who appears throughout the film expounding on the "three brains" that humans have and their effects on our behavior. It's certainly a cold, clinical work, but it remains one of my favorites.
Somewhat controversial in its day, I can recall an actual fight breaking out at the Lincoln Plaza cinema between two intellectuals who disagreed strongly about the film. I was fifteen at the time, and understood precious little about the film, but the sight of two beardy guys shoving each other around after the lights came up was unforgettable.
Once again we barely broke double digits in correct submissions, and I'm well impressed with those who got it.
Well, we're at the final quiz of the round, and after several tough weeks I'll toss out a easy one to wrap it up. Everybody knows this film, and nearly everybody loves it. (Except me, that is.) Watching it again in preparation for the quiz sort of sealed the deal on that opinion. Name the film, and be sure to check back next week for the winners! Submit your answers to this address. Good luck!
What? A series on films from Brittany and no Lancelot du Lac?
Quelle horreur!
Posted by: cinecatastrophe | 2008.11.19 at 10:05 AM
I actually thought about it, but could not get 100% confirmation that it was filmed in Brittany. (Some believe it was shot in Normandy, which is close, but no cigar.)
Posted by: Filmbrain | 2008.11.19 at 10:41 AM
This quiz is too easy!
Posted by: burritoboy | 2008.11.19 at 09:23 PM
You post THAT screen grab...and yet you say you don't love the film. How non-red-blooded-American male of you!
Posted by: Glenn Kenny | 2008.11.20 at 12:42 PM
The Holy Grail is reputed to have been hidden in Brittany, for what it's worth.
Posted by: Noel Vera | 2008.11.21 at 12:03 AM
GREAT ASS.
Posted by: Thomas DeGrau | 2008.11.21 at 01:06 PM
True, nice bum on that broad. Had a minor crush on her when I saw the movie in question.
Posted by: Israel Vonseeger | 2008.11.22 at 11:08 PM