"Besieged," an almost wordless film by the great Bertolucci, is a feast for the eyes and a visual love poem to its
radiant star, the bewitching Thandie Newton.
Bertolucci wisely lets images dominate in this story of impassioned love, sacrifice, and fateful decisions between Mr. Kinsky
, a solitary composer (David Thelwis, who appears to be channeling Jeremy Irons) and Shandurai (Thandie Newton) an African student
who lives downstairs in his crumbling Roman palazzo and cleans for him. Music, color and shadow play major roles in this highly polished film, as heavily styled as a fashion shoot.
The film opens in an unnamed African country where Shandurai's husband is imprisoned by the police. This arresting sequence communicates the chaos and turmoil of a
magnificent country under the bootheel of brute force. Shandurai is now studying medicine in Rome, carefully observed by the besotted Kinski, who blurts out an awkward omission of love very early on in
the film. He takes Shandurai's impassioned command to heart, and the main story begins to unfold. The film is more about her slow discovery of Kinski's choice as his possessions begin to
disappear and she discovers a tantalizing clue to his mysterious actions. Newton's physical eloquence and grace keeps the film from completely sinking under distracting, film-school flashiness (enough
already with the slow motion!) and pretentious editing (it's really not necessary to jump-cut someone washing steps).
The color-drenched palazzo scenes are its other saving grace.
Lighting and photography are fantastic. At times, the film looks like National Geographic photo essays in motion. Costume and production design are very good. Pay particular attention to
color: Shanduri's dark blue gown echoed in Kinski's brighter blue shirt during their first confrontation, the vivid colors and patterns of Shanduri's clothes, the muted tones of Kinski's quarters, the
muddy lighting and dulled colors of the student scenes.
The screenplay (written by Bertolucci and his wife, based on a short story) is a bit forced – Shandurai spends an awful lot of time performing
tasks that photograph well but make little sense (polishing the banister? pushing soapsuds over a floor?) and is it really necessary to have her leaking bodily fluids so frequently? Kinski's early
admission of his feelings undercuts the tension in the film. Thelwis does the best he can with a thin role and looks very chic in his well-cut "artistic" clothes (I doubt pianists actually practice in
button-down shirts, but it does look nice). Newton glides through the film like a panther, her striking looks drawing the camera's eye. She's an actress who works best in motion – more
believable in scenes that require action than posing as a silent odalisque or looking goo-goo eyed.
The film's meandering snaps into sharp focus at the very end. Shanduri makes one
surprising choice - then the viewer is left to speculate on her final decision between her husband and the man who sacrificed to free him. "Besieged" is like its heroine: drop-dead
gorgeous, sometimes eloquent, and ultimately a mystery. Best for fans of European films and interior design freaks. |
