Mouret’s almost impossible facility with moving his characters and their relationships around through impeccable mise-en-scene is maybe something I almost take for granted from him at this point. But something about this one just feels algebraic in parts.
Don’t get me wrong. The film does contain an incredibly moving and tender scenes between two characters that’s so note perfect in every way that it made me gasp a little. Honestly every scene with Vincent macaigne is just golden and feels…
still think its selva's best. a glimpse straight into hell. one is used to even gangster films having moments of glory or victory of some sort and instead all we get is generational trauma and destruction. the only thing of beauty ending up better off in a literal trash can.
The title suggests a dance and indeed Hou's film unravels much like one. Rather than adhering to chronology or traditional plot progression, Mill Mambo's scenes with their repetition and mirroring unfold like a series of graceful dance steps that collectively capture the frenzied ecstasy as well as the trembling uncertainty that marks the terminus of youth as well as the end of a century. This carefully choreographed structure is perfectly complemented by the techno score that runs throughout the film…
maybe words will come to me later. for now, am still trying to put the pieces of my heart together. film of the year though.
