Three Colours: Blue (1993)
I had a teacher in something like fifth grade who showed this trilogy to us. I am not sure if she was crazy or just really ambitious for a bunch of 12 year olds, but even though I don’t remember the movies from back then, I have always sort of remembered their existence. So I am really looking forward to watching them now (again) more than 25 years later.
I am not really a fan on movies that relies too much on symbolism or the need for weird interpretations, and this weirdly both does that a lot but also kinda not. Having “blue” in the title of movie helps to at least try and pay extra attention whenever there is blue on the screen. And how she handles her grief is very front and center for everyone to see. She tries to pack up and forget her past but her past keeps coming back.
While the movie has plenty of things that were pretty clear to me, parts never made fully sense. Like whats with the closeup of the sugar cube in the coffee or was there some deeper meaning when she saw herself and her husband on tv at the strip club?
Even though I was confused at some parts and also a bit annoyed that I never got a good understanding of Julies motivations for why she suddenly changed her mind - on for example finish the composition, it was still a very captivating experience and it is rare for me to spend so much time reading how other peoples take on this movie is. Reading reviews, it seems like people get very different meanings or feelings from it.
Many people mention the cinematography but I want to mention the brilliant sound editing. Which is unusual to remark in regular dramas. It is very clear and upfront and center which I just appreciated.
I am not sure yet, and maybe my opinion will change when I watch the rest of the trilogy, but I found it to be a really interesting portrayal of grief. Julie seems to mourn mostly the loss of her daughter and could even appear relieved to be free from her husband. We don’t see anything about their relationship, but she is very adamant on his musical composition not being finished. At least at first. Solid four stars for now, because I wasn’t blown away - just captivated without fully knowing why.
Rating: 4