Review of The Countess (2009) by Mikael K — 19 Oct 2010

Julie Delpy has made another renaissance effort with her second movie âThe Countessâ?. Like with her directorial debyt â2 Days in Parisâ? she again not only directs but writes, stars and composes as well. â2 Days in Parisâ? was far from perfect, but it was a pleasantly sympathetic little film carried by dialog and detailed scenes. This time delpy has created a completely different experience. âCountessâ? is a grand historical drama about Erezbet Bathory, a powerful Hungarian ruler who is believed to have gone mad and murdered young women in the hopes that their blood would preserve her youth and beauty.

This film is reasonably interesting at first, but it soon starts falling apart at the seams. The melodrama turns corny and the very odd stylistical choices feel just embarassing and romance-pulpy instead of fresh or beautiful. Honestly the dialog is just so bad at times that it almost causes physical pain. Memorable and in its own way unique âThe Countessâ? is however, and I do appreciate Delpy's effort. I can say that I'm very interesting in seeing what she creates next, because as corny and ineffective as this effort largely is, it's a film by a director who takes risks boldly and doesn't seem to be concerned by what people think of her and her work.