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Fassbinder: Ali, Fear Eats the Soul.

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What a wonderful surprise. A minute or two into it I thought it wouldn't be very interesting but the "natural" style of acting from the two main actors made it a treasure.
A small film, yes, but it does strike very hard at your heart.
Lola and now this fim... I've had to re-assess my opinion of Fass.

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Next stop should probably be "Angst vor der Angst" - Victor Khomenko 11:59:48 10/29/05 (24)
See my post on it if curious. Lola? OK, I guess... but none of these is really representative of the best world cinema has to offer. Fass is definitely the second-tier director, with some interesting works and identifiable flavor, but he ain't no Bergman.
Another of his films I strongly recommend is Water Drops on Burning Rocks... OK, so it was directed by Ozon, but Fass wrote the play, and it is stylish.
- Thanks for the recommendation, btw, and keep in mind how short - tinear 07:47:33 10/30/05 (0)
  Fass's career was and how prolific he was.
- Water drops? More like - tinear 07:44:52 10/30/05 (10)
  semen...
  I'm not as cavalier about placing Fass in the second-tier. His subjects are certainly very different from Bergman's, seemingly more specific but applicable to other situations, i.e. Lola could be a woman struggling in a country after any war.
  Bergman appeals to the intellect but he doesn't as fully engage one's heart: that's why I'd relegate HIM to a less than primary position, though I'd not insult him by using "second" in any description.
  In other words, I think he and Fass are like Cab and Pinot, very different species and not easily to be compared.
  - Re: Water drops? More like - Victor Khomenko 09:11:26 10/30/05 (9)
    Nothing cavalier about it. We all have hierarchy in your minds, and in my view Fassbinder, whether due to the unfortunate shortness of his career, or his peculiar vision of the world, or his choice of artistic means, does not occupy the space next to those I would consider true giants. The term "second tier" is not an insult, it is rather a statement of facts. I like some of his works, but I have never been drawn head-over-hills into any of his movies - they are too rational for me to do that. There is brain, and plenty of intriging observations, but emotion is lacking, and it is mostly the emotion that I seek.
    - Emotion? Are you serious? You haven't seen either Lola or Ali, have you? nt - tinear 12:34:37 10/30/05 (8)
      asdg
      - "You haven't seen either Lola or Ali, have you?" Of course I have. - Victor Khomenko 13:09:17 10/30/05 (7)
        
        In Reply to: Emotion? Are you serious? You haven't seen either Lola or Ali, have you? nt posted by tinear on October 30, 2005 at 12:34:37:
        
        You can look at archives if you like. Lola nearly killed me with boredom, Ali was more interesting, but don't you think it was so contrived it really had little to do with reality?
        
        Contrived? No. The Moroccan guy actually was Fassbinder's lover - tinear 18:23:35 10/30/05 (6)
        
        In Reply to: "You haven't seen either Lola or Ali, have you?" Of course I have. posted by Victor Khomenko on October 30, 2005 at 13:09:17:
        
        and the age disparity, though not as much as in the movie, existed.
        The acting was such that it overcame my anticipated "contrived" feeling.
        Lola boring?
        I read a post where you mentioned that but I thought you were referring to another post.
        Anyhow, both of these films were extremely "emotional," which was my original point.
        
        And he fell in love with an old ugly woman. Sure.... - Victor Khomenko 05:32:55 10/31/05 (5)
        
        In Reply to: Contrived? No. The Moroccan guy actually was Fassbinder's lover posted by tinear on October 30, 2005 at 18:23:35:
        
        Emotions are personal. What will leave one person cold might generate an avalanche in another, so I don't know why you have any issues with my being rather cool to his works. If they feel emotional to you I am not going to try to turn you around. Often these are based in our personal experiences, even if indirectly related.
        Or you are going to sue me over that?
        But Lola? As I watched it I could not believe I was watching Anouk that truly sparkled, was really a firework under ice, in La Dolche Vita, so dumn, unattractive and unwieldy she was in Lola... and to think that was done AFTER the La Dolce Vita makes you think.
        
        It happens, Vic, it happens (Kuerten/Demi Moore?). Anyhow, you have - tinear 16:56:59 10/31/05 (4)
        
        In Reply to: And he fell in love with an old ugly woman. Sure.... posted by Victor Khomenko on October 31, 2005 at 05:32:55:
        
        Lola all wrong: I'm talking about Fassbinder's Lola, not some French movie with Anouk. I think you'd like it... a lot.
        
        He-he... you got me on this one! - Victor Khomenko 17:16:50 10/31/05 (3)
        
        In Reply to: It happens, Vic, it happens (Kuerten/Demi Moore?). Anyhow, you have posted by tinear on October 31, 2005 at 16:56:59:
        
        I don't know how I've gotten into that loop! I recall the "other" Lola, but vaguely. Should have paid more attention.
        By a strange coinsidence, watching The Blue Angel right now.
        And... many things happen, few get put on screen.
        
        The Blue Angel: I like Marlene! But, I like the very similar - tinear 04:51:06 11/01/05 (2)
        
        In Reply to: He-he... you got me on this one! posted by Victor Khomenko on October 31, 2005 at 17:16:50:
        
        Of Human Bondage with Bette D better: her performance is my fav female film one.
        See Lola, I think you'll like the tycoon's character very, very much.
        
        And I can't stand Marlene! - Victor Khomenko 06:06:40 11/01/05 (1)
        
        In Reply to: The Blue Angel: I like Marlene! But, I like the very similar posted by tinear on November 1, 2005 at 04:51:06:
        
        Not in the Angel, and even more so in the Witness to the Prosecution, that we watched last night. A horrible person, and a horrible actress. While in the Angel she hardly had to do any acting, in the Witness a couple of scenes called for it, and she fell flat on her unpleaqsant face - expecially while delivering her "Damn you!..." speech. I can take some of her singing, if not too much, but acting... But not her singing in the Witness - a sore reminder of how poorly the German language fits singing. It works great with Schubert, but Marlene's choppy, hard and almost hostile delivery all created an unpleasant moment.
        
        Agreement on Marlene, too Butch for me. I must say I - tinear 06:35:07 11/02/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: And I can't stand Marlene! posted by Victor Khomenko on November 1, 2005 at 06:06:40:
        
        like Wagner, however...
- And Fassbinder's no Hitchcock, Wajda, Keislowski, Kubrick or Losey; but neither is Bergman! (n) - Colin 18:33:54 10/29/05 (11)
  .
  - Please, start a post asserting Joe Losey's "greatness." nt - tinear 18:24:46 10/30/05 (10)
    ad
    - I loived the Accident - Victor Khomenko 05:35:30 10/31/05 (3)
      The Servant was pretty good too.
      - Not a big Harold Pinter fan but I do appreciate Dirk Bogarde... he does - tinear 16:59:09 10/31/05 (2)
        
        In Reply to: I loived the Accident posted by Victor Khomenko on October 31, 2005 at 05:35:30:
        
        remind me somewhat of James Mason...
        
        I used to under-appreciate Mason... - Victor Khomenko 17:19:09 10/31/05 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Not a big Harold Pinter fan but I do appreciate Dirk Bogarde... he does posted by tinear on October 31, 2005 at 16:59:09:
        
        ...but as I grew older his talens has become more visible... except that in Lolita, of course... that one I still just can't reconcile, I think it was a horrible, horrible casting.
        
        Hmm. I think Lolita was a brilliant performance of Mason's... perhaps - tinear 15:51:57 11/02/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: I used to under-appreciate Mason... posted by Victor Khomenko on October 31, 2005 at 17:19:09:
        
        his greatest.
        But then, I am an immense fan of the film.
    - Sure, but first prepare yourself by reading my work on the subject. (nt) - Colin 02:27:48 10/31/05 (5)
      .
      - Ok, done! I read all seven volumes. nt - tinear 04:38:43 10/31/05 (4)
        
        In Reply to: Sure, but first prepare yourself by reading my work on the subject. (nt) posted by Colin on October 31, 2005 at 02:27:48:
        
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        Always go straight for the summary page. There - for the last paragraph. (nt) - Victor Khomenko 05:36:22 10/31/05 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Ok, done! I read all seven volumes. nt posted by tinear on October 31, 2005 at 04:38:43:
        
        .
        
        Yes, Colin's best work. Immortal. nt - tinear 07:27:33 10/31/05 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Always go straight for the summary page. There - for the last paragraph. (nt) posted by Victor Khomenko on October 31, 2005 at 05:36:22:
        
        sd
        
        Thanks Vic, a balanced precis. Deleuze would approve. Now class, past the (sic) Accident to Delon in Mr. Klein...ready? - Colin 12:12:45 10/31/05 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Yes, Colin's best work. Immortal. nt posted by tinear on October 31, 2005 at 07:27:33:
        
        .
        
        Wrong. (nt) - Victor Khomenko 13:58:38 10/31/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Thanks Vic, a balanced precis. Deleuze would approve. Now class, past the (sic) Accident to Delon in Mr. Klein...ready? posted by Colin on October 31, 2005 at 12:12:45:
        
        .

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