10. Jupiter's Moon (Jupiter holdja); movie review
Cert 15
129 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, nudity
I adore watching movies in January and February - it's just a pity that so many of the year's best are condensed into such a short time.
This week, I have already taken in the fantastic Three Billboards, and the enthralling Glory. Both had the originality which was lacking at the cinema for much of 2017.
Ditto for Jupiter's Moon - a memorable and thought-provoking movie which was strange but not so offbeat that it was unfathomable.
On the contrary, myriad parallels could be drawn from Kornél Mundruczó's film.
For a start, its foundation is the plight of Syrians who have risked their lives to escape civil war to Hungary.
Zsombor Jéger plays Aryan Dashni, a refugee who is split from his father when their boat overturns. As he runs to evade the authorities he is shot three times in the chest and then rises up into the sky.
Yep... Aryan can fly and his unique power becomes the story rather than that of his fellow countrymen.
In a camp, he is taken under the wing (not literally) of a desperate-for-cash doctor (Merab Ninidze) who initially sees him as a potential pay day.
Meanwhile, he is being hunted fanatically by the police officer (György Cserhalmi) who shot him.
There are all sorts of analogies which could be derived from Jupiter's Moon.
There are the obvious religious overtones. The doctor believes Aryan is an angel or, possibly, Jesus who has come to him because he is a non-believer.
It could also be said that the Hungarian reaction to the Syrians is not dissimilar to that of the Romans towards Christ's followers. When it comes to Aryan, belief and betrayal are never far away.
Then there are the comparisons to the superheroes who overwhelm the big screens - the improbability of man being able to fly seems to have been suspended by Marvel and DC,
Thrown into the mix is the doctor's history of having made a terrible medical error and his intense relationship with one of his fellow medics (Mónika Balsai).
It is a heady combination which also includes one of the best car chases I have seen since the French Connection.
But, because it is so ambitious and dark, the threads of the plot are not always easy to pick up.
This is not helped by it flicking between Hungarian and English which is spoken precisely but without emotion.
Nevertheless, despite these reservations, I was rapt in Jupiter's Moon and stirred by this cinematic start to the year.
Reasons to watch: myriad deep issues thrown into one melting pot
Reasons to avoid: its ambition may cause confusion
Laughs: none
Jumps: one”
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 8/10
The big question: Why are religious texts packed with references to angels if man has never been able to fly?
0 Response to "10. Jupiter's Moon (Jupiter holdja); movie review"
Posting Komentar