Review of Clouds of Sils Maria (2014) by Jason S — 22 Dec 2015

There is so much about Clouds of Sils Maria that you won't see coming; least of all the knock out performance from Kristen Stewart. She so effortlessly holds her own against the typically magnetic Binoche to the point where she steals the show; a feat made all the more impressive considering the duo share most of the screen time together, with not a second of fineness wasted between them.

Which is an important dynamic, as Clouds is fundamentally rich in character because of the two, but the light-as-air narrative moves at a glacial pace. It's slow, but the absorbing interplay of dialogue highlights the complexities in their multi-layered, nuanced performances. The honesty and openness shared by the characters often feels ethereal, much like the setting they find themselves in, but also force these characters to become far more fascinating than they would otherwise have been.

Clouds is a captivating character study that will be a struggle for some, but is all the more rewarding thanks to its incredible lead performances that will stay with you long after the credits roll.