Review of Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) by Nathan B — 18 Nov 2013

Kechiche knows how to direct actors, and the performances are all spectacular. Visually the movie is certainly beautiful but the director has a limited photographic vernacular, apparently never having heard of a medium shot and infusing every shot with overdramatic handheld shake. When every shot is a tight closeup, it strips the truly emotional scenes of their power, and investing each scene with an emotional importance not necessarily supported by the script. Still, I could think of worse ways to spend an afternoon than staring at Exarchopoulos' pouting lips and tear stained face.

While it's often respectable decision not to compromise on running time, many scenes felt redundant and overlong. I was waiting for the 15 minute shoe shopping scene shot in extreme closeup and ending in an emotional breakdown.

Many of the people who seem to love this movie seem unaware that it comes from a long tradition of masterful tradition of French Cinema Verite, and is a minor entry in the canon, adding no doubt titillating extended sex scenes, certainly the hottest I've ever seen.

Still, there's no denying the achievement of the film where it excels: performances from its leads and a thoughtful coming of age story.