I went to see L'arnacoeur (Heartbreaker) at a pre-release preview screening yesterday. I didn't know it was subtitled, but the fact that it was signified good things to me. Firstly, if a subtitled film makes it to the Odeon and not just the Tyneside Cinema (my local Indie cinema) then that means it's had impact of some sort (or that it has a powerful distributor behind it). Secondly, it signified that I was about to see something quirky and I like quirky, so I was happy enough. I watch a lot of foreign films, subtitles don't put me off at all. However, about eight, maybe ten, people walked out within the first fifteen minutes!!! Obviously, the print-off preview tickets didn't have the original French title on them so people were thrown. Still, once there, why leave? Are subtitles really so off-putting to some?
Comment and discussion is most welcome, cuz I'm well confuddled.
Incidentally, it was a cute, outré sort of film. Better, I'd say, than the average American Rom-Com. Same ending, of course, but the story was told in a more whimsical, off-beat, way.
NB: The female lead is played by Venessa Paradis and I have to say, oftentimes, she looked a little like her other half in his Mad Hatter role. All wide-eyed and gap-toothed. Just saying. Perhaps, like some pet owners start to look like their dogs, then some girlfriends start to look like their boyfriends' film roles? Or vice-versa.
Personally I don't mind subtitles at all if the film captivates me, I'm not sure this genre would be my cup of tea but I certainly wouldn't walk out of a film once I was there... I suffered the whole of Planet of The Apes which possibly has to be THE worst film I've ever seen in my life!!
ReplyDelete300 was my worst sit-through film. Dire.
ReplyDeleteThis review makes me want to see the film... I've never minded subtitles and I like French films usually : )
ReplyDeleteI haven't walked out of the cinema either, I even sat through that Indiana Jones Skull one.