New on DVD Jun 24 2008 @ 09:20 am
REVIEW: Persepolis
Directed By: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Written By: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rated PG-13 For mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content.
It seems every time you turn around, another graphic novel has been made into a movie. Which is great, because I love graphic novels, and I love movies, and I love the thought of bringing them together like some beautiful cosmic sandwich. It hasn’t been all peanut butter and jelly, though - too often, these attempts are marred with inconsistent vision, shallow storytelling, and the sheer inability to capture the tone and experience of the source material.
Enter Persepolis, a french film about a girl growing up and trying to find her identity in Iran during a revolution, and later in Vienna. With an adorable visual style and well-crafted animation, it’s simply a joy to watch. The story itself is one of emotional twists and turns, but it keeps it’s tone and attitude even as it jumps from silly to outrageous to unbearably sad. And it does get sad. The film itself, however, is neither the sob fest the synopsis might lead you to suspect, nor the care-free comedy the trailer would appear, but a journey that embraces both humor and introspection.
It doesn’t hurt that it was written and co-directed by the creator and subject of the piece, Marjane Satrapi. There is a sense of integrity that permeates every part of this movie. It is charming, driven, and witty, but most importantly, it is always honest. She is a normal girl, living in a crazy world, and trying to find where she belongs.
There’s just something about animated films that always keeps me coming back for more. Persepolis is a stylish picture of an inspired tale, and a joy to experience. It stands as another fine gem that doesn’t disappoint.
on Apr 29 2008 @ 2:37 pm 1. Colleeny said …
I am the exact opposite in the generalized love of animated film. Most animated feature leave me cold, but I was delighted with both Persepolis and Paprika this year. In the case of Paprika, It would have made my top ten list for 2007, if not for the fact I didn’t get to see it intil this year.
on Apr 29 2008 @ 3:47 pm 2. Evan Derrick said …
Hey, welcome to the party Colleeny! I dig your Haiku site - got a good chuckle out of the one for “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”… ‘funny bits’ indeed.
I have Paprika in the queue but haven’t had a chance to dig in yet. Are you a fan of Satoshi Kon’s other work? Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and the Paranoia Agent series? I love all of his work (with the exception of Millennium Actress, which I found tedious), and am really looking forward to Paprika.
Let me also take this moment to plug what I consider to be one of the greatest anime series ever, and one that most people are not familiar with: Monster. It follows a Japanese doctor in Germany accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and blends perfect parts of The Fugitive with The Omen. It is a revelation, but at 72 episodes it is a bit of a daunting undertaking. If you can get a hold of it, I promise you will not be disappointed.
on Apr 29 2008 @ 8:07 pm 3. colleeny said …
I have seen Perfect blue and enjoyed it also. I have written down your suggestions and will put them on my ziplist. thanks for the recommendations always willing to expand my knowledge. A girl can’t live on Jimmy Stewart films and B-movies alone. Although I have tried!
on Apr 29 2008 @ 11:31 pm 4. Fletch said …
LOVED Persepolis - my only qualms were with the ending. The rest of it was fantastic, though. Hilarious, heartbreaking, real, excellently drawn, the whole nine yards. One of my favorites from last year for sure.
on May 08 2008 @ 10:44 am 5. Nick Plowman said …
I really cannot wait to see this - no sign of an SA release date yet, but I remain hopeful.
on May 08 2008 @ 6:32 pm 6. Calix Reneau said …
I’ll go ahead and answer this before I do the review, but here’s the short version of my upcoming Paprika review: Paprika is Ghost in the Shell meets Akira. If that kind of great animation, slow pace, high concept, maleable world rules and none too resolute conclusion appeals to you, then you’ll love the movie. I know I did.