On this page: NE ZHA 2 | MISERICORDIA | WHEN AUTUMN FALLS

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The older-wiser Aobing is the yin to Nezha's yang, but this is never simplified. The animators skilfully allow Aobing to emerge visually in Nezha's tightly wound body. And there are further eye-catching transformations as Aobing's family members morph from dragons into warriors. But then, everything on-screen is a feast for the eyes, with inventive, often amusing character designs and astonishing textures in wood, stone, scales, metal, water, lava and more. Thankfully, the filmmakers never take this too seriously, indulging in plenty of silly asides.

Because the plot is so overcomplicated, it's tricky to meaningfully connect with what happens. There are brief moments when we identify with emotional reactions or funny jokes, but mainly the film entertains us with its astonishingly detailed imagery, even if reading subtitles means looking away from the scenes. It's particularly staggering on an Imax screen, with sequences that unfold on the biggest scale imaginable. And we'll certainly be looking forward to further adventures.

themes, language, violence

14.Mar.25

Performances have an earthy honesty to them that reveals thoughts and emotions in almost unnervingly relaxed ways. Kysyl is likeable as Jeremie, even though we never quite get a grip on his motivations. He's drawn to Walter, who is beautifully underplayed by Ayala, and uninterested in Develay's intentional Philippe, who leers at him with subtle matter-of-factness. Kysyl's physically charged scenes with the stormy Durand bristle with all kinds of energies, and his chemistry with the always great Frot is even more textured.

Ideas circling around in here relate to a whole range of human behaviour that's considered illicit, and some that's downright illegal. But the ways people react are never quite what we expect, so we find ourselves feeling sympathy for those who are doing some very dodgy things, hoping they can escape the law and find their own happiness. Most impressive is the way Guiraudie grapples with these big themes without ever simplifying them, asking us to think without telling us what is right or wrong.

themes, language, violence

17.Mar.25

Performances are grounded, with actors adding layers of personality and experience. So it's a lot of fun to watch these likeable people and wonder what they're actually capable of. At the centre, Vincent gives Michelle an open-hearted warmth that sits comfortably alongside her underlying motivations. But the intensity of her love for the people around her is never remotely in doubt. Lottin is the other intriguingly shaded figure, a young man with a questionable past who is clearly a good guy.

Where this goes is impossible to predict, even as we suspect that we know things that the script has never quite shown us. Like the characters, each tricky turn in the plot catches us off guard, forcing us to question how much each person truly knows. Indeed, this is a film about how impossible it is to understand why people do the things they do, whether by accident or with intentionality. And perhaps it doesn't always matter in the larger scheme of things.

themes, language

4.Feb.25