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Written and Directed by Starring Rated R Presented by 93 minutes |
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BOARDING GATE Review
Olivier Assayas has for the most part been a frustrating filmmaker to follow. He’s an exceptional talent and his films draw great interest from me. They’re always well acted, well produced, and well directed, but after leaving the theater, you have a feeling that you’ve seen something that is incomplete. With BOARDING GATE, his latest film, Assayas makes a well crafted B thriller disguised as an art house film, with two sensational lead performances. Ex-prostitute Sandra (Asia Argento in one of her best performances) works as a shipping courier in Paris for a Hong Kong couple (Kelly Lin and Carl Ng) she was introduced to by her former lover Miles (Michael Madsen, also excellent), a wealthy businessman looking to retire. As the two recall their steamy encounters that went on the rough side, Sandra is given an opportunity at a new life. However, that means betraying Miles as she finds she still has feelings for him. After she agrees to a new start, she is thrown into a web of mystery and intrigue and winds up in Hong Kong unaware of the fate that awaits her. The strength of the film lies in the first half, as Argento and Madsen are smoldering together on screen, showing great chemistry even in some unpleasant moments. Argento has always been an actress not afraid to take risks and she delivers here. Once Sandra is introduced, she is in virtually every scene and her screen presence is vital. No other actress could pull this part off as well as Asia. This is also the most vulnerable Madsen has been on screen since probably his performance in THELMA & LOUISE and a different side to him that shows just how versatile an actor he is. When he is not on screen, the film suffers, and when Sandra goes to Hong Kong, his presence is sorely missed. Carl Ng and Kelly Lin, both making their English language speaking debuts, give fine performances as couriers who employ Sandra into their game, both knowing more than they lead onto. Although filmed entirely in Paris and Hong Kong, the film’s primary dialogue is English, and Assayas makes use of the film’s limited locations, with lengthy scenes that go from interesting (the introduction of Sandra and Miles) to fascinating (Sandra and Miles’ encounter at his place, featuring an uneasy S&M scene to watch), to frustrating (Sandra on the run from gunrunners employed by a character introduced too late into the film although it’s interesting to see her played by Sonic Youth member Kim Gordon). Assayas is a terrific writer, as I’ve felt his DEMONLOVER is underrated, but the film suffers on what it wants to be. I felt it worked more as a drama than as a thriller, with the relationship between Sandra and Miles amongst the best acted and written I’ve seen in quite some time. You’ve never seen anything as complex as the relationship between these two. This dominates the first half, and much better part, of the film. The film is very European in its tone and filmed quite beautifully. The Hong Kong scenes are done documentary style and Assayas blends the characters into the mobbed streets flawlessly. Miles’ apartment is also stellar and featured in a key scene (I think it takes up a quarter of the film’s running time) that is expertly done. Some of the Hong Kong locations are well filmed although a scene in a karaoke bar seemed unnecessary, and the film’s final act is the weakest. It does put the story together, but it’s unsatisfying. Some may consider this film to be the final in a trilogy if you would include CLEAN and DEMONLOVER. While CLEAN is an exceptional film on its own right, this film’s content reminded me that it could serve as a double feature with DEMONLOVER (which if you haven’t seen it is a film I found fascinating but flawed as well). In all, BOARDING GATE is a good film, highlighted by two fantastic performances by two of the best character actors of recent years, and worth seeing for that alone. Asia Argento fans (and I know there are quite a few) will not be disappointed. Fans looking for an action thriller from beginning to end will be however. It’s worth a definite look if you want an intelligent film regardless if the plot gets muddled at certain points. BOARDING GATE: 7 Out Of 10 Maggots CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR OLIVIER ASSAYAS!!! CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH STAR MICHAEL MADSEN!!!
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