Mississippi Mermaid (1969)
Blu-ray Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Michel Bouquet, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Catherine
Deneuve, Nelly Borgeaud
Plot: Product Description: Pantheon director François
Truffaut’s adaptation of Cornell Woolrich’s Waltz into Darkness, Mississippi
Mermaid (1969) stars the iconic Jean-Paul Belmondo as a wealthy plantation
owner on Réunion Island who falls madly in love with his mail-order bride (the
stunning Catherine Deneuve), despite the fact that she is not quite what she seems—and
is, in fact, a lot worse. This tale of obsessive love features music by Antoine
Duhamel, available on this Twilight Time release as an isolated track.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 4/5
Well what really can be said about the master director
Francois Truffaut that hasn’t already been said? It’s simple to sum him up in
one phrase, Masterpiece director. I am not afraid to say that and not afraid to place
that title on his many pieces of work. Some stand out better than others but he
always, no matter what, left an interesting mark on the world of cinema.
(Here is a little
snip-bit I written earlier
about him: He was one of the
original founding directors of the passionate and brilliant French New Wave
movement. He is one of the truest ICONS of cinema. He has directed some of my
favorite films of all time. His first feature length film was the masterpiece,
1959’s The 400 Blows. He died at the
very young age of 52, he had so much more to offer and I can’t imagine the
films he could have brought out if he would have lived. On an interesting note
he was a multitalented man, a film critic, screenwriter, producer, and actor.
He starred in Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi masterpiece Close Encounters of the
Third Kind as the character Claude Lacombe. His first American film he directed
is one of my favorite futuristic sci-fi films Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. He
would go on to be respected and talked about and held high above and he deserved
every bit of it.)
Truffaut not only directed this, but he also wrote this script, adapted it from the novel Waltz into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich. Starring one of the greats of cinema, Jean-Paul Belmondo. If
you ever want to see some flawless acting, check out his performance in
Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960’s masterpiece, Breathless. Belmondo is a true top
quality actor that knew the parts and brought them to life, and gave them a beating heart. He plays the character of Louis in Mississippi. He
creates a perfect persona to the role, and gives a crowning achievement to the
world of film. Also starring the absolutely, beautiful, sexy and very talented
Catherine Deneuve. The chemistry on screen between Belmondo and Deneuve is what
movie magic is about. Their roles are pivotal in the history of cinema. Both
play off each other in a dynamic reality that is hard to explain unless you
have seen the film. Both gave there all and created something to be remember.
Also starring the wonderful Michel Bouquet. Another powerful
actor that has acted in over a 100 performances. Been acting since the 1940’s
and is one of those performers that I think is much underrated. A true actor
that knows the art form of creating great characters and his role as Comolli in
Mississippi Mermaid is no different.
After viewing this movie I cannot believe I have not really
heard more about it. This is great film. I would say in all honesty that
it is utterly asinine that this film is so underrated and under appreciated.
This is truly a memorable film. I think this is one of Truffaut’s greats and
Twilight Time Blu-ray has honored this powerful little film with total clarity
in image and sound, the best its ever been seen. Twilight Time has also released Truffaut’s The Bride Wore
Black which is another much underrated film. Twilight Time has brought another
excellent piece of cinema to a modern generation to experience this film.
Audio/Video: 4/5
As I have stated this is masterly done, it's never looked any better. Clarity in sound. Beautiful vibrant colors. Crisp
sound. A wonderful example of taking, clearly, an old negative and working with it in the best way that can be done, and creating a product that shines.
LANGUAGE: French
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 2.35:1
AUDIO: French 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English
Extras: 3/5
Isolated Music track by the one and only Antoine Duhamel. A
true musical genius. We sadly recently lost this masterly musician in 2014. He
left an amazing career of music. He was one of the great French Composers and
Orchestra conductors to ever exist in my viewpoint. He not only lived the music, but he also
taught music. This is a great special feature on the Blu-ray. It’s always a treat
to be able to hear the music by itself.
Audio Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick
Redman. A great listen. I always look forward to these commentaries done by
very rich in knowledge film historians.
Both Julia Kirgo and Nick Redman are
powerful examples of cinema knowledge and is always a treat to listen and educate
oneself on their vast understanding of film.
Original Theatrical Trailer
As always the wonderful booklet insert by the master film
historian Julie Kirgo. Always a priceless read and as I have stated, I look
forward to this little booklet each time.
Overall:
One of the much under appreciated films by a master of
cinema. A film noir like romantic drama, an experience that only Truffaut could do. A priceless Twilight Time Blu-ray.
INFO:
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