There have been less than stellar reviews making waves on the internet about Blindness (our review), Fernando Meirelles’ adaptation of the brilliant José Saramago novel, which stars Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Alice Braga, Don McKellar and Gael García Bernal among others.
Perhaps expectations were too high or maybe folks are just missing something. I know they’re completely different films but I get the same vibe from Blindness as I did from The Fountain – can’t put my finger on why but I have this feeling in my gut that I’m going to love this movie and if this next bit is any indication, I may be in for more than I bargained for.
Doing my daily reads I came across the most interesting of all responses to the film. Dave Poland has posted a short video clip of José Saramago’s reaction after seeing the film for the first time. The video speaks for itself – if you speak Portuguese. For the rest of the world, I’ve included the translation which comes care of one of Mr. Poland’s readers.
The transcription…
Saramago says:
- Fernando…
Meirelles, sensing that maybe the writer is feeling obligated to say something, interrupts him:
- You don’t need to…
But Saramago doesn’t stop:
- I’m as happy after watching this film…
He pauses… And then he completes the sentence:
- … as I was when I finished writing the book.
Fernando: “Really? You don’t know how happy this makes me.”
And then he leans forward and kisses Saramago’s forehead.
Sweet indeed.
Oi Marina! Você fala Português? Eu até pensei: “puxa, sobrenome ‘Antunes’ deve ter alguma raiz”, mas nunca tinha pensado mais a respeito.
Sobre o vídeo, fiquei tão emocionado quanto os dois. UAU!!! Acho que o Meirelles não precisa mais nem lançar o filme.
O verdadeiro reconhecimento já foi feito.
Inté!
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Hi Marina! Do you speak Portuguese? I had thought: “Hmmm… Last name ‘Antunes’ must have some background”, but I never have thought more about it.
About this video, I was as touched as those two guys. WOW!!! I think Meirelles now doesn’t even need to release the movie.
The true recognition has been achieved.
Cheers!
That’s an amazing moment captured there.
I can only imagine that, for Meirelles, such recognition from the original work’s creator is worth 1,000 four-star reviews (perhaps not at the box office, mind you, but looking at things from a purely creative perspective). Very nice.
Being a huge fan of City of God, and admiring The Constant Gardener, I can’t wait to see this one.
Blindness is certainly my cup of tea. I’m expecting to find not only lots to love in this picture, but hopefully more than the ho-hum reaction from both the Cannes crowd and our own M.Rot. That being said, i though The Constant Gardener was a tad pedantic and the performances were staggeringly flat
People expecting City of God will be immediately disappointed with Blindness, and people who do not want to feel uncomfortable about some of the ugly aspects of humanity will also find things to dislike about the film. I think there are some valid complaints about execution of the idea, there are strange pacing choices, its also a film that is fairly unique so its hard to categorize it (and I know that can bother a lot of the ‘critics’ out there, who like their experiences codifiable).
But I can see beyond it and recognize that there is something worthwhile to the film, and I would not classify my reaction as ho-hum, as it stands right now it is still my favorite movie I have seen in 2008… but that is not saying a lot considering the year.
For me the end made the film.
@Gleydson – Indeed, a Portuguese girl through in through. Sorry for not answering in the good ole mother tongue but my writing skills are severely lacking. But yes, Portuguese and proud of it! Hence my added interest in this particular project. Totally unrelated but Euro Cup Portugal game 1 in 2 weeks! YES!
I married into a portuguese family, and look forward to my poseur enthusiasm for the Euro Cup
@rot – nice! At least you know what team to cheer for! My hubby is the same – he’s not *really* Portuguese but as close as they come and yes…he took is looking forward tot he Euro goodness.
@Rot (and I know that can bother a lot of the ‘critics’ out there, who like their experiences codifiable).
I tend to be the other way. If a film is unclassifiable, and overly unique in one or two major ways, that usually puts things well off on the right foot for me (Southland Tales). Films that remind me of other films too much tend to get picked on (Ironman)
“I tend to be the other way. If a film is unclassifiable, and overly unique in one or two major ways, that usually puts things well off on the right foot for me (Southland Tales). Films that remind me of other films too much tend to get picked on (Ironman)”
That’s pretty much me too and that’s probably why I’m so looking forward to this.
@Marina:
Oi de novo! Não se preocupe com suas habilidades na escrita do Português; as minhas no Inglês não são das mais louváveis!
Vou acompanhar toda a Euro e, é claro, torcer por Portugal.
Abraços!
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@Marina
Hi! Do not worry about your writing skills in Portuguese; mine in English are not the most praiseworthy!
Yes, I’m also following all Euro Cup and, of course, support Portugal.
Hugs!