Based on the graphic novel by same name by Julie Maroh and winner of the 2013 Palm D’or, the first where both Director and his leading ladies Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos shared the top honour, Blue is a beautiful coming of age film led fully by its mesmerizing leading lady Exarchopoulos who carries the film on her innocent shoulders which makes the experience a pure delight.
Adèle (Exarchopoulos) is a gutsy reserved high school student who has a thirst for literature and good food. Carried by the wants of her age and growing sexuality, the losing of her straight virginity comes and goes with Adèle left lacking, her true self not met she is spurned to search for the girl with the blue hair she spotted on the street.
Emma (Seydoux) a older art student at university leads Adèle on a journey of self and sexual discovery. The relationship is buoyed by their intense passion which ultimately leads to their demise.
The film has been followed by controversy. R18+ rated in Australia, it features ‘THE seven minute sex scene’ which let’s be honest, is no holds bar. There’s no mood lighting or carefully placed shadows here. It is full on, girl on girl action and has to be said when sitting in a crowded cinema one did have to put on ones best cinema game face rather than regressing into a blushing tittering teenager. That said, I think by the 5 minute mark the audience did let out a collective sigh when perhaps thresholds had been met and we all needed a break and possibly a cuddle and cigarette. But was it pornography? Not at all. The scene has absolute context to the plot and its progression. Kechiche took great care to not film the actresses in a exploitive fashion. Yes it was graphic, as sex is, but it was real and honest. Which really, is the tone for the whole film.
No heavy make up, no over stylized shots and no dominating sound track, this film is pure as young love and as real as our own memories. One of the real stars of this film is the French Sun with its ever present warm glow over the young lovers, perhaps signaling the spring time of Adèles life
Eventually Adèle and Emma’s relationship runs its course and Adèle is left to enter the next chapter in her young life. Blue is the Warmest Colour beautifully explores the heartache of first love, male or female, gay or straight. Where your desire to see that person, be with that person, could lead you over hot coals if need be and where, when a heart is broken, all is lost and only the smallest glimmer of light is what you need to carry on.
Perfection!
Adèle (Exarchopoulos) is a gutsy reserved high school student who has a thirst for literature and good food. Carried by the wants of her age and growing sexuality, the losing of her straight virginity comes and goes with Adèle left lacking, her true self not met she is spurned to search for the girl with the blue hair she spotted on the street.
Emma (Seydoux) a older art student at university leads Adèle on a journey of self and sexual discovery. The relationship is buoyed by their intense passion which ultimately leads to their demise.
The film has been followed by controversy. R18+ rated in Australia, it features ‘THE seven minute sex scene’ which let’s be honest, is no holds bar. There’s no mood lighting or carefully placed shadows here. It is full on, girl on girl action and has to be said when sitting in a crowded cinema one did have to put on ones best cinema game face rather than regressing into a blushing tittering teenager. That said, I think by the 5 minute mark the audience did let out a collective sigh when perhaps thresholds had been met and we all needed a break and possibly a cuddle and cigarette. But was it pornography? Not at all. The scene has absolute context to the plot and its progression. Kechiche took great care to not film the actresses in a exploitive fashion. Yes it was graphic, as sex is, but it was real and honest. Which really, is the tone for the whole film.
No heavy make up, no over stylized shots and no dominating sound track, this film is pure as young love and as real as our own memories. One of the real stars of this film is the French Sun with its ever present warm glow over the young lovers, perhaps signaling the spring time of Adèles life
Eventually Adèle and Emma’s relationship runs its course and Adèle is left to enter the next chapter in her young life. Blue is the Warmest Colour beautifully explores the heartache of first love, male or female, gay or straight. Where your desire to see that person, be with that person, could lead you over hot coals if need be and where, when a heart is broken, all is lost and only the smallest glimmer of light is what you need to carry on.
Perfection!
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