- Although it’s a step back from Archipelago it is a confirmation of Hogg’s talent and observational style. Static camera, often shot in long takes, about intellectuals or the bourgeoisie, strong compositions (the window theme set up in the first shot), realism
- Every room filled with books and art in a trendy apartment
- No musical score, Reading aloud, our protagonist just sitting there thinking, realistic domestic battles and fights, sex, having dinner with friends- we’re observing this fracturing couple as voyeurs in their apartment (which is certainly a character in the film) with the large windows, spiral staircase
- Formally strong- Hogg makes the choice to shoot almost every other well-staged mise-en-scene set-up off of or through windows. It makes for beautiful mise-en-scene arrangements, adds to the themes of voyeurism
often shot in long takes, about intellectuals or the bourgeoisie, strong compositions (the window theme set up in the first shot), realism
- There are a dozen of these but when Hiddleston shows up (he’s in like 3 minutes of this) as a realtor discussing the apartment there are those immaculate compositions with the windows— following shots of her in reflection off the window and the tree outside the apartment
- Is it autobiographical? No idea but it feels authentic. An artist- certainly looks like Hogg
- Hogg feels influences by Chantal Akerman – I owe Akerman a thorough study but what I appreciate about Hogg here in comparison is Hogg’s ability to set a frame—and then to organize it formally throughout the film so it’s a visual theme
- Another film from Hogg about dissolving relationships
- I did not love the scene where Hogg breaks her observational style and the form of the film to show her in a theater watching the protagonist and her husband in an interview/discussion. We go into surrealism here
- Recommend
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