What Is The Story About?
Bardo, False Chronicles Of A Handful Of Tales recounts the life of Silverio Gama; a Mexican journalist turned documentary filmmaker. The story tries to showcase what goes inside his mind with a surreal narrative from the start to the end.
Performances?
Daniel Gimenez Cacho gets a complex role with many layers in Bardo. He has done a neat job maintaining intensity while going with the uneven surreal narrative flow. He is like an anchor taking us through the proceedings and bringing consistency to the proceedings with his act. Most of the drama happens in conversations, and then there are a lot of stares – in either case, Daniel brings a compelling emotional quality that helps one stay on track (provided they are focused).
Analysis?
Alejandra G Inarritu of The Revenant, Roma, Birdman and Babel fame directs Bardo, False Chronicles Of A Handful Of Tales. It is a semi-biographical tale of sorts from the celebrated director.
Bardo, False Chronicles Of A Handful Of Tales follows the director’s typical slow-paced but well-set-up style. One has to be highly focused and patient while watching; otherwise, things are sure to go above one’s head. While this is usually the case with his films, Bardo, False Chronicles Of A Handful Of Tales goes a step higher with its surreal elements in the narrative.
The opening block is a test of viewers’ patience. If one cannot go through it, chances are very high of quitting altogether. If one manages to sit through that, some conversations sprinkled through the narrative grab attention and offer food for thought.
The surreal element in the narrative is distracting and takes one off from the actual thing that’s happening. It all makes sense towards the end only when the true nature of the proceedings is revealed.
Several topics are raised in the narrative via conversations. These are what hold things together and provide some relief. Most of everything else is overindulgence on the director’s part to drive home any particular point.
The narrative is uneven from the start due to the mix of boring, silent moments and intriguing dialogues in between. The length makes it hard to follow the drama, as it is challenging to sit through without feeling uncomfortable at one point or the other.
By the time one reaches the end, things finally come together and make sense. In a way, it is the final hour where the meat lies, and the ending seems perfect for the different thoughts put across in the narrative.
A major factor here that could help things to a degree is the cultural and historical significance of the setting. It is a running theme in the movie and would make the narrative more appealing if one knew about the background and events depicted.
Overall, Bardo, False Chronicles Of A Handful Of Tales is an overly self-indulgent work of a celebrated filmmaker. It offers some engaging bits but is mostly boring and unengaging to a casual viewer with no clue of the context. If you like the director’s work, try it or stay away.
Other Artists?
Many actors are part of the narrative but appear randomly in parts. Griselda Siciliani, Ximena Lamadrid and Iker Sanchez Solano as the wife and kids, respectively, are fine. They do well in the brief moments they get. The actor playing the host impresses with a brief appearance, whereas the rest are adequate.
Music And Other Departments?
Bryce Dessner and Alejandra G Inarritu did well with the background score. There is a constant build-up after moments of silence. It helps the narrative have energy running through it from time to time. The cinematography is lovely, as one expects. The editing is messy and chaotic, but it’s intended that way. It works in parts. The writing is fine, mostly.
Highlights?
Few Conversations
The Setting And Context
Drawbacks?
Chaotic Narrative
Unevenness
Did I like it?
Yes, In Parts
Do I recommend it?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Bardo, False Chronicles Of A Handful Of Tales Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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