Vinyan

[dirtygirldiva]

spank you very much...

[rueful]

I haven't seen the movie, so cannot comment intelligently (what else is new, you ask), BUT:

angry wet Ru is a sight to behold, drunken grunting sex Ru is even hotter

.

for me, naked and groaning rufus was only the bonus.

Sweet jeebus, what are you trying to do to us?!!!!

[dirtygirldiva]

oh trust me, the scene is far too short and the dead boy showing up at the end just ruined it...but if you watch the first little bit and then close your eyes......magic!

[rueful]

the dead boy showing up at the end just ruined it

LOL! Nothing kills the mood like ghostly visions.

[Famke]

Well... being that I am new to this forum and am also still in the "Hunting and Gathering" phase of seeing anything and everything Rufus has ever done... I will keep my review of this one as short as possible.

***SPOILERS***



I saw it last night, and honestly I still have a strange knot in my stomach today.

What happened to Rufie in the last 30 seconds of that film is a part I will NEVER EVER WATCH AGAIN. (omgggg ....my eyes!....Make it go AWAY!)

That said- I may still need to watch this one again... (heh...if even just for those certain scenes that show us Rufie in the buff ....JUST....)

I actually loved even more the scene where he tried to make love to her the first time....his kiss....just......

I read the reviews by rufluvr, ambra, dirtygirldiva, and tipou and you ladies helped me flush out alot of my feelings after watching this film. You really put it into words nicely.

I was left with such a feeling of hopelessness.

But the film was meant to create that emotion- the film did what it set out to do, I just can't say I enjoyed the experience.

I thought Rufus' acting in this was AMAZING. When he was screaming for his son to Go Home...I burst out crying. My gawd he is an incomparable actor.

I will leave no Rufus stone unturned....but in the case of this film, I look forward to the images it left in my mind and heart to fade.

[miss october]

Saw this a few nights ago. Overall, I really liked it. Especially visually.

[rufluvr]

It's great to read everyone's comments, esp. Tipou's in depth review. Vinyan IS a good film...it's just so sad. Unredeeming. Not one I'll watch over and over again like The Last King, IASL, DB or TOTS. They were interesting and entertaining. Vinyan was well done, but too depressing and not unique enough to ever become a favorite of mine. It's not that I only like "happy" films, either. The film Being John Malcovich bowled me over, but wasn't necessarily a feel- good film. If Vinyan was more compelling it would be different. I'm used to wanting to see Rufus' films over and over--but this one, not so much. Don't need the negativity. And that's okay, they can't ALL be the favorite, can they?

For those who may not want to see it because of the gore factor--that last grisly scene is very short. There are other somewhat hard scenes to watch too, but really not a lot. The emotional intensity is heavier than anything, which is a credit to the actors and the director. The great acting makes the film worth at least one viewing I think. Ruf was superb, Emmanuelle was a bit one-note and it got old (but to be fair, I think that's all the writing/directing allowed) LOVED the supporting cast, esp. TG. He was really good, 'fro and all, he did not overplay it like some actors tend to do with powerful- baddie roles (if you can call his that-which is debatable)
The scene where Paul screams for his son to go was truly powerful. One of Rufus's best scenes. You felt yourself screaming along with him for the freedom that only comes with resolution. Not only that his son spirit should rest in peace, but so that he and Jeanne could live the rest of their lives in some semblance of peace. (I just wish the similarities to scenes from the Ghost Whisperer hadn't popped into my mind. Ugh! And I hardly ever watch it anyway!) Hee, hee.
By the way--questions on plot--What happened to Kim?? Who was the dead body on the beach at night you could barely see(wasn't the same big dude henchman from the tree, or the rapper/actor that got beat, it was someone else, right?)
Also, it felt like some scenes got cropped/deleted. Like I wonder if there were alternative takes of Kim's advance on Paul scene--seemed choppy-like there might have been more dialogue or a different take. When we see Paul view the naked dancing girls or whatever in the hut--is his wife one of 'em or just looking on? And didn't Jeanne look like she was all sweaty-naked from sex with someone when he came back to the hut?? Were we to infer someone had had her? I wasn't sure, as they were in the jungle where it's just plain hot anyway...but since a lot was left to inference in the film I thought maybe, esp after Kim's cryptic remark that, yes, Paul you did leave your wife alone (so what was she doing,hmm?)
Likewise we will never know what the old lady on the boat "saw" about the couple that upset her so much: The dead son's spirit? Paul's imminent and nasty death? Jeanne's near zombieism, and blossoming hatred for her husband? All of the above? Ha, ha. I guess it doesn't matter, we just know it aint good. Well, obviously, I need to give the film a second viewing but that still may not help, so I welcome your thoughts.

[Vittoria]

How many times does one need to pay the ferryman to get to the other side? Well, I suppose the answer to that question is: many... if you're already there but just can't figure that out!

Hmmm.. boring at times, emotionally so charged that it is shocking at other times.... and oh, if I were an already dead woman laying under a naked and grunting Rufus, I am sure he would wake me from my death.... ;D

[maz]

May 6, 2009 3:42:18 GMT Vittoria said:

How many times does one need to pay the ferryman to get to the other side? Well, I suppose the answer to that question is: many... if you're already there but just can't figure that out!

Hmmm.. boring at times, emotionally so charged that it is shocking at other times.... and oh, if I were an already dead woman laying under a naked and grunting Rufus, I am sure he would wake me from my death.... ;D

Ditto I shouldn't laugh at that comment, but couldn't help it

[dirtygirldiva]

Maybe off-topic, but I was reading this and thought....hmmmmm Vinyan? Makes ya wonder if he stole the idea...or at least part of it.

www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment/20090518/EU.France.Cannes.Von.Trier/

[Famke]

Hmmm... I see what you mean DGD. Almost too many similarities to be a coincidence eh? Though it sounds even more disturbing a film, if that is actually possible.

Though thank goodness Roof kept his *ahem* intact in Vinyan.

[dirtygirldiva]

until the end...for all we know, the wifey cut it off and ate it...crazy psycho wench.

[wichiwoman]

I usually have to watch a movie at least twice to get the full effect. I watched Vinyan again online last night and I honestly say that I liked it but didn't enjoy it. That make sense? The film was very dark, very depressing, very disturbing. I can't imagine losing a child in those circumstances. I think I would go mad too.

The scenery was gorgeous. The acting was good. Jeanne's descent into madness was great acting. Rufus was.....well...let's say.... I certainly would have liked to be in Jeanne's place in a couple of the scenes. I definitely would not have rejected his advances!!

I'm curious why it was labeled a horror film.

[numbat]

I too watched Vinyan again last night and after a restless sleep thought i should put my thoughts down here so i can stop thinking them!!!

Although generally disturbing & the storyline "odd", this film is richly atmospheric & claustrophobic. Anyone who's experienced the south east asian heat & humidity (without the benefit of an airconditioned hotel room to go back to at the end of the day) will recognise how ruthlessly authentic this aspect was. The noise, the closeness, the language, the heat, the darkness, the incessant pouring rain, the feeling of being an "other", of being preyed upon, was stark and realistic. I watched the "making of" documentary and found that as fascinating as the actual movie. The fact that scenes were filmed in the (roughly) same sequence as shown, added to the growing desperation of the actors as time passed - in the beginning they were obviously fresh & happy, by the end they were hot, sick, fed up & miserable. The fact that Rufus & Emmanuale were able to pull the emotion of that taxi scene out of nowhere after knowing each other for only 3 days is amazing and testament (of course) to their depth of talent. What is more interesting though is to watch the relationship between husband & wife literally deteriorate before our eyes. At the beginning, he would touch her constantly as a way to try & reassure & comfort her, but by the end (see the slipping in the mud scene) she could barely stand to have him near her. The director's comment on Day 31 of filming that the tension between Emmanuale & Rufus was palpable and that their relationship was indeed literally falling apart was fascinating. It appeared that life really did imitate art in the filming of this. And Roof's comment to the director as they embraced immediately after shooting his final scene (the murder) that went something like "F***ing hell mate" says it all.

In terms of the storyline, i was fascinated by the use of sex (& i know this sounds unbelievably pretentious) as a metaphor for their relationship. From the opening scene of her coming out of the sea and showering while he watched, it was obviously a broken relationship - he was clearly desiring her (gulp) while she continued the shower and looked away - you had the feeling that this was an ongoing issue, that they had probably not been intimate - either physically or emotionally - since the death of their son. & this continued throughout. From the very start it was obvious that he was desperate to make her happy and whole again, & for that reason it appeared that he "took" her on the trip, but i think she would have gone anyway. She was already descending from desperation into madness, & if he hadn't enabled her by going with her, i believe she would have gone alone. She called the shots from the very beginning, always pushing him away when he needed her most but at the same time manipulating him into doing what she wanted. The turning point for Paul was the night that Takshin Gau said to him "i'm only doing what your wife asked me to do. If you cannot control your wife that is not my problem" That's when he took that bottle of scotch with the full intention, i believe, of finally controlling her. & when he did (yes in THAT scene) & she had no choice (gulp) but to let him, i think that's when her world changed and she crossed the line between reality & madness. From this point it became apparent that she blamed Paul for Joshua's death because there was really no one else for her to blame & in the end we hurt the one we love the most. All the weirdness that followed is really inexplicable so i won't really try, but my take in the end is that this is her descent into complete madness that culminated in her killing Paul. I believe the Vinyan were not ever physically there but were her demons that haunted & tormented her and in the end took her for their own.

Atmosphere - Magnificent
Storyline - Difficult
Disembowling - Stupid
Rufus - Masterful in his portrayal of a man trying to hold his life together and protect his wife. Hot, wet, sweaty, sexy, naked, grunting - OMFG

[eleanor]

Jun 3, 2009 2:19:07 GMT numbat said:

I too watched Vinyan again last night and after a restless sleep thought i should put my thoughts down here so i can stop thinking them!!!

Although generally disturbing & the storyline "odd", this film is richly atmospheric & claustrophobic. Anyone who's experienced the south east asian heat & humidity (without the benefit of an airconditioned hotel room to go back to at the end of the day) will recognise how ruthlessly authentic this aspect was. The noise, the closeness, the language, the heat, the darkness, the incessant pouring rain, the feeling of being an "other", of being preyed upon, was stark and realistic. I watched the "making of" documentary and found that as fascinating as the actual movie. The fact that scenes were filmed in the (roughly) same sequence as shown, added to the growing desperation of the actors as time passed - in the beginning they were obviously fresh & happy, by the end they were hot, sick, fed up & miserable. The fact that Rufus & Emmanuale were able to pull the emotion of that taxi scene out of nowhere after knowing each other for only 3 days is amazing and testament (of course) to their depth of talent. What is more interesting though is to watch the relationship between husband & wife literally deteriorate before our eyes. At the beginning, he would touch her constantly as a way to try & reassure & comfort her, but by the end (see the slipping in the mud scene) she could barely stand to have him near her. The director's comment on Day 31 of filming that the tension between Emmanuale & Rufus was palpable and that their relationship was indeed literally falling apart was fascinating. It appeared that life really did imitate art in the filming of this. And Roof's comment to the director as they embraced immediately after shooting his final scene (the murder) that went something like "F***ing hell mate" says it all.

In terms of the storyline, i was fascinated by the use of sex (& i know this sounds unbelievably pretentious) as a metaphor for their relationship. From the opening scene of her coming out of the sea and showering while he watched, it was obviously a broken relationship - he was clearly desiring her (gulp) while she continued the shower and looked away - you had the feeling that this was an ongoing issue, that they had probably not been intimate - either physically or emotionally - since the death of their son. & this continued throughout. From the very start it was obvious that he was desperate to make her happy and whole again, & for that reason it appeared that he "took" her on the trip, but i think she would have gone anyway. She was already descending from desperation into madness, & if he hadn't enabled her by going with her, i believe she would have gone alone. She called the shots from the very beginning, always pushing him away when he needed her most but at the same time manipulating him into doing what she wanted. The turning point for Paul was the night that Takshin Gau said to him "i'm only doing what your wife asked me to do. If you cannot control your wife that is not my problem" That's when he took that bottle of scotch with the full intention, i believe, of finally controlling her. & when he did (yes in THAT scene) & she had no choice (gulp) but to let him, i think that's when her world changed and she crossed the line between reality & madness. From this point it became apparent that she blamed Paul for Joshua's death because there was really no one else for her to blame & in the end we hurt the one we love the most. All the weirdness that followed is really inexplicable so i won't really try, but my take in the end is that this is her descent into complete madness that culminated in her killing Paul. I believe the Vinyan were not ever physically there but were her demons that haunted & tormented her and in the end took her for their own.

Atmosphere - Magnificent
Storyline - Difficult
Disembowling - Stupid
Rufus - Masterful in his portrayal of a man trying to hold his life together and protect his wife. Hot, wet, sweaty, sexy, naked, grunting - OMFG

Hey numbat! Thank you for your account of Vinyan, I was not going to see this film as I thought it would not appeal to me but after reading your opinions and thoughts, I am intrigued to see it. It almost sounds like a version of Heart of Darkness (Apocolypse Now) and the descent in to madness, with the back drop of the jungle and all that this environment conjurs up. Your description of Rufus captured me too and how can I resist watching him acting his heart out like that? Can't wait and thank you again.