Reviews

I will admit that I read the other reviews before I saw this film. Now I will try to be objective. This is NOT a revenge movie. Anyone calling it that has not seen it. True, one of the women has been raped, but she doesn't seem to care, nor does she want revenge. The other woman who joins her simply wants excitement. If you have to compare this to an American film, try "Natural Born Killers." That is closer in tone and theme than "Thelma & Louise" because there is nothing to like about these characters. They are cold-blooded, merciless killers who go on a rampage and enjoy murdering and having sex. Sometimes they kill the people they have sex with; other times they don't. But the bottom line is that this is truly bad filmmaking. It looks like something made by a pair of high school dropouts with no idea what the point of their film is. It is shot on video (not film), features adult film actresses, unrealistic violence, and has no impact. About half-way through, you may ask yourself why it was made. It really goes nowhere. Even if was a revenge film, it still wouldn't have been any good, because of the poor acting, poor production value and the fact that the first-time directors just haven't sharpened their talent yet. Who is the target audience for this? A porno audience? The horror film audience? It doesn't hit the mark in either genre. Who cares about the explicit sex and violence if it's so poorly made that you can't take it seriously? That is definitely the case with "Baise-moi."

As a subscriber of DIRECTV, I had the good fortune to see this film on Sundance, as well as another very low budget film shot on DV tape called "First, Last & Deposit" on IFC (Independent Film Channel). These are two offerings that I never would have seen on the big screen, much less have been able to rent on tape or DVD. It made me feel fortunate that cable channels like Sundance & IFC exist for those viewers who crave challenging films with a dramatic, realistic punch. The acting in "Virgil Bliss" alone is absolutely stunning and will stay with you long after you've seen it. As a few others have pointed out, this film may not receive enough exposure to give actors Clint Jordan or Kirsten Russell their "big break", but trust me, if you've seen this little gem, you will remember them. You may see this film by accident. I doubt that Sundance will promote it the way that HBO would a "Men In Black II" or an Adam Sandler film, but if you get another chance, see it and remember it. "Virgil Bliss" is so gritty and realistic that it passes for a shot-on-videotape docu-drama, but it's much more. You will root for Virgil, and you will accept Ruby. You will remember these characters and understand them. The acting you will never forget. Let's hope it receives recognition beyond the select group of viewers who have seen it so far. If it does, let's give thanks to fearless film-makers like Joe Maggio and vehicles in which to see their work, like IFC & Sundance. Amen.

I am an avid DVD collector, and, up to this point, I haven't found any better than the Director's Cut of DAS BOOT. Make it one of the first DVDs you rent or (better yet) buy. It is the total experience, complete with tremendous sound effects that create the tension and paranoia of being in a submarine that is viciously and randomly bombed from above. Never have I heard scarier or more realistic use of sound. And as for the acting, it's a surprise that Jurgen Prochnow hasn't become a bigger star in the U.S. His presence as the revered Captain of this U-Boat is something to behold. Wolfgang Petersen went on to direct action films in America, such as "In the Line of Fire" and "Air Force One", but none were as intensely realistic as this one. Both technically and historically, "Das Boot" is an experience you will not forget. Luckily, most DVDs contain the restored, re-mastered 3-hour+ Director's Cut, and, as many previous reviews have mentioned, it is never boring. Make it the first foreign film or DVD you've seen, if you've never seen one, and make it your next if you have.

As I was watching this film, I started wondering which character was the most detestable. In my opinion, it was the character played by Catherine Keener. She should be married to a deaf mute, since any conversation before, during or after sex makes her sick to her stomach. My favorite scene: In the bookstore when Jason Patric confronts her and tells her off in no uncertain terms. These characters say and do what most people only think. The film was cathartic for me, and an amazing exhibition of acting. Jason Patric creates a charismatic, fascinatingly vindictive character on par with "Chad" from "In The Company of Men". I won't soon forget this guy. I wouldn't mind hanging out with him for the stories, but I'd hate to be on the receiving end of anything he does. This is "Seinfeld"--taken to the extreme--for nearly two hours. Not for the squeamish, and painfully real, although we hate to admit these people exist outside the movie theater.