Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE ELECTRIC KISS [Cannes Film Festival - Cannes, France]
The essence of an Opening Night Film, of any festival - including Cannes - is to strike a balance between theme and perhaps accessibility since as the festival continues on, the context will be about balance and diversity within whatever idea is in the collective creative unconscious at this time. "The Electric Kiss" [Opening Night/Out Of Competition] which came after an opening ceremony which saw a Honorary Palme D'Or go to Peter Jackson is a whimsical tale but definitely with its own dark streak. Its lead character in Suzanne (Anaïs Demoustier) has the same whimsicality as say Audrey Tatou as Amelie but with less innocence. Unlike that film which involved Amelie exploring her own inner universe, this story is more about looking at a former woman's life (Irene - played by Vimala Pons) which is holding back the intent of her muse and artist Antoine (Pio Marmaï). Antoine, as a character, though is played a little too over the top. it is the women who are the strongest characters. Suzanne and Antoine interact because he shows up drunk in the house of the medium at the circus Suzanne works at thinking she is the psychic who can make contact with his wife (Irene) who is now dead. There is guilt and of course the film integrates that out to its final point so there is a reason for everything. No one is necessarily at fault and life goes on.
This is of course a fable in many ways. The ending salvo is also a bit contrived even though it is sweet. However, the film never quite makes the viewer fall in love or believe the relationship of Suzanne and Antoine no matter how the con works. Armand (Gilles Lellouche) has the most heart interestingly enough and it really more comes to bear during a small flashback scene where Antoine is drawing Armand with Irene giving him notes. Suzanne, as a character, seemingly just to make a couple bucks in the beginning becomes more contemplative and empathetic as time goes on. She and her roommate's use of a diary definitely integrates wish fulfillment and because the film is set in the early 1900s, it is there to give a sense of nostalgia. That said, the characters feel too intently modern despite their best efforts. There is also a certain sadness and joy in the film since it doesn't sugarcoat certain perspectives of human cruelty. Howwver, it does understand that certain things need to be said in a certain so they have a distinct meaning. "The Electric Kiss" is about that dance. B
By Tim Wassberg
