Foreign Flicks Review: Some Good, Some Great.

The Girl From Paris is about a woman named Sandrine who has what many others desire, a good job, a life in the city of Paris-yet she dreams of nothing more than  to be out of the claustrophobic hold that it all has on her. When she brings up the idea with her mother, she finds her family is disapproving of her notions to take up schooling in agriculture and to buy a farm in the country. Sandrine leaves Paris shaking the dust off of her feet and aims to show them all that she can make it where no single woman has ever been able or happy before-to a little dairy goat farm in the middle of nowhere where winters are harsh and lonely.

I enjoyed watching The Girl From Paris because there are some things I can relate to and enjoyed it as a whole, however it felt unresolved when the final credits crept by. I would recommend it, as it was interesting to watch, the setting was beautiful, the farming environment enticing and worth the watch. Rating: 2.5/5

Deets: The Girl From Paris (Une hirondelle a fait le printemps) 2001, France. Directed by Christian Carion.

In Mostly Martha (original German title: Bella Martha) Martha has always craved perfection and predictability. Life changes all too quickly when her niece comes to live with her, teaching Martha that life a lived predictably really isn't as important as she had thought, but Martha may not be able to do it. Another chef moves into her kitchen to help out while she is coping with taking full time care of her niece, but to her he is a threat not a help. Her rigidity and strictness are what drive her,they are what have made her who she is, but while she watches her competitor cook she sees he is driven by passion.

This is a spectacular flick that I think well worth the time. A complex, and yet simply delightful plot pull through the entire film with a satisfying conclusion. However you will need to have some good snacks to eat while this one rolls because the food if not will make you salivate, and even with snacks it still may. I recommend this one completely. Rating: 4.5/5

There is an American version of this flick that I also enjoyed, but was a remake of Mostly Martha, it is called No Reservations.

Details: German film, 2002. Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck.

Vitus is the story of how a gifted mind can be one's downfall if not tethered to reality in some way. Vitus is obviously a musical and intellectual genius at a very early age, however this causes his parents to desire performance from him. Vitus gift as a pianist continues to be his parent's focus as he battles with not developing peer relationships, finding the need to prove his professors wrong, and crushes on a much older girl- his babysitter.

As his parents pressures increase Vitus will find a way out of having to fit their mold and will choose to follow another route in a silent display of rebellion that will rock his parents world. The twists and turns in this flick are delicious to watch unfold. Vitus has one true ally throughout the film, his grandfather, who always treats him as a regular kid-letting him do things he could never do at home.

This is one of the best flicks I have seen, the acting is incredible (my favourites are Teo Gheorghiu, Bruno Ganz- LOVE THEM!!) and the storyline is brilliant. I give it a full %100 recommendation. You have to watch it. Rating: 5/5

Deets: Vitus (2006) Switzerland. Directed by Fredi M. Murer

Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna) is about  mother who crosses the border to make a way for her son. he is left in Mexico, taken care of by his grandmother still he only has eyes for his mom. She calls every Sunday and as much as he longs to believe that she will show up any day he knows she isn't coming for him soon. After a traumatic event he takes matters into his own hands and then it is up to love, luck and whole lot of hope to get him to his mother in the U.S.

Tender, true and heart wrenching, this flick has it all. Beautiful, completely. Passionate, intense...just so well done. I love this flick and recommend it. Another must see. Rating: 4/5

Deets: Under the Same Moon (2008) Mexico. Directed by Patricia Riggen

What flicks (foreign or otherwise) do you recommend I watch and review??Have you seen a great one recently you want to share?? I'd love to hear of it.

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