Cannes: Round-Up #4

The Cannes Film Festival certainly picked up a bit over the weekend, although according to some, it wasn't exactly the quality level that was peaking, but rather the quantity.

First off we have the objectionably quality of Bertrand Tavernier's The Princess of Montpensier, a French-language 16th-century costume drama screening as part of the festival's 18-film competition portion. Going by early word, the reactions are mixed, but it does have its fair share of fans.

Bertrand Tavernier's The Princess of Montpensier.

Rope of Silicon's Brad Brevet found it a "repetitive misfire," while InContention's Guy Lodge called it a "Harlequin-grade love triangle," giving it two measly stars. IndieWire's Todd McCarthy found much to admire, calling it a "fine film," while ScreenDaily's Dan Fainaru called it a "lavish production" with a "powerfully emotional love story". Time Out London's Geoff Andrew expressed his love for any medieval costumer that flies in the face of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. And finally, Variety's Leslie Felperin called it a "compelling period drama."

Meanwhile, Takeshi Kitano's Outrage, a hyper-violent yakuza crime film, and another anticipated film screening in competition at Cannes, was a dud with reviewers.

Takeshi Kitano's Outrage.

Variety's Rob Nelson was one of the few admirers, calling it "visually stunning," while ScreenDaily's Dan Fainaru considers it a mild return to form, further explaining that "Kitano is back at what he does best." IndieWire's Todd McCarthy, however, believes that the "well has indeed run dry." Rope of Silicon's Brad Brevet found it one-note and "assuredly violent," while InContention's Guy Lodge called it "thin, obstinately single-minded."

That's it for now, I'll be back later in the day for a round-up of Mike Leigh's Another Year and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Biutiful.