Review of Aria (1994) by Paul S — 23 Aug 2007

It's difficult to know how to rate this movie since it is really a collection of short films, some great and some awful. I've decided on five stars merely because one of the vignettes in it really is five stars. Having seen many of Derek Jarman's films now, I would rank him as one of the world's most sensitive directors, if not one of the greats. If only he'd lived longer and achieved his potential. His short film in this collection, accompanied by Charpentier's Depuis Le Jour, is not only the best of the bunch, it is probably the best short film I've ever seen. It features an aged prima donna looking back on her life and realizing she had a pretty good time. It was very comforting to me who though not afraid of dying is afraid of aging.

The others are a mixed bag. Ken Russell's is much like his other feature films in that it's worth watching but probably not worth while. Franc Roddam's, to Wagner's Liebestod, is nice because it seems somewhat inspired by the opera it's based on. Julien Temple's, too, is inspired by some of the themes in Rigoletto, albeit taking a much lighter tone. In fact Temple's is probably the most avant garde of the bunch as everyone else, upon hearing they should make a short film to aria interpreted it as make an art film, while Temple's is a screwball comedy. Easily the worst of the bunch is Godard's Armide, which I suggest skipping as it takes one idea and extends it interminably. Altman's too is quite a yawner.

But I recommend to anyone for the films I've mentioned. And as I say, it should be required viewing for any Jarman fans.