Review of Flight of the Red Balloon (2007) by Mary A — 09 Jan 2009

Shot in more of a documentary style, this film with it's naturalistic approach serves as more of a glimpse at Parisian life than a movie. There is hardly a plot but instead a meandering story revolving around a small child in which nothing really happens.

This isn't a bad thing as you get to just sit back and take in the performances from the actors as if you were watching real life. The piano music drifting in and out throughout the film was a little tame but suited the artsy direction of the film.

Juliette does great as the stressed career mum and the Chinese lady's calm persona is good to watch too. The french really are just so cool compared to most countries. I didn't really get all the references to the red balloon but the film is a homage to an old filmmaker.

I think the red balloon symbolises the child's wandering imagination or something. A pretty uneventful film, but enjoyable nethertheless as an eye-opener into another way of life.