The Town Is Quiet
2000, 132 min A.K.A.: La Ville est tranquille Country: France Studio: New Yorker Films Cast: Ariane Ascaride, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Gérard Meylan, Jacques Boudet, Christine Brücher, Jacques Pieiller Director: Robert Guediguian Rating: Not Rated Our Rating:
REVIEW
Leisurely paced but ultimately rewarding, the politically charged The Town Is Quiet will appeal most to fans of John Sayles and Robert Altman, to whom Guédiguian seems to owe somewhat of a debt. The intertwining lives of a handful of disparate characters in modern-day Marseilles form the basis of this ensemble drama -- characters who may differ in class but who are all subject to the ennui of life's daily grind. Despite its slow pace, the film builds to a satisfying wrap-up, thanks especially to excellent performances and a confident use of music (can you remember the last time Joplin has been used this effectively?). Emotional, stirring if slightly overlong, The Town Is Quiet dissects a city and its inhabitants in personal, moving vignettes as it challenges our very notions of social behavoir. (French with English subtitles) You Might Also Like
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