The Man Who Cried (DVD)

The Man who Cried is a rather strange film which despite a number of shortcomings still managed to captivate me - I loved it!

The film, made in 2000 and released on DVD in 2003, is a period drama with music intergral to its plot. As the title suggests, there is an emotional storyline however the title is a little misleading. There are two prominent male characters, both of whom do cry. But the film is in fact about a young girl, Fegel ...
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The film opens with Fegel, as a wide-eyed engaging child, happily playing hide and seek with her devoted father in a Jewish farming village in 1927 Russia. 5-year-old Claudia Lander-Duke, plays the young Fegel, with an awesome ability. No-one could remain unmoved as she bewilderedly watches her father leaving for America in search of work and fortune, or as she is traumatically separated from her grandmother when her village is attacked ... more

The Man who Cried is a rather strange film which despite a number of shortcomings still managed to captivate me - I loved it!

The film, made in 2000 and released on DVD in 2003, is a period drama with music intergral to its plot. As the title suggests, there is an emotional storyline however the title is a little misleading. There are two prominent male characters, both of whom do cry. But the film is in fact about a young girl, Fegel aka Suzie (who also cries) a Russian Jew deprived of her identity, her family and her culture with a talent for singing and her epic journey to rediscover herself and her roots.

The film opens with Fegel, as a wide-eyed engaging child, happily playing hide and seek with her devoted father in a Jewish farming village in 1927 Russia. 5-year-old Claudia Lander-Duke, plays the young Fegel, with an awesome ability. No-one could remain unmoved as she bewilderedly watches her father leaving for America in search of work and fortune, or as she is traumatically separated from her grandmother when her village is attacked and looted, or as she transported to England where she is deprived of her identity, forbidden to speak her own language and given the new more suitable name of Suzie or even as she is roughly brought up by adoptive parents.

The film then switches to Suzie, now a young adult still wide-eyed and engaging, auditioning as an opera singer. Not dynamic enough for a lead role, Suzie gets a role as a chorus girl in a Paris opera. Christina Ricci takes the character forward effortlessly with her performance of a shy, placid woman from her life of repression who smoulders with passion and inner strength.

Of course, a catalyst is needed to kindle Suzie's passion and inner strength. Enter Cesar, a enigmatic Gypsy horse handler, who introduces her to romance and self-determination. Cesar captures Suzie's heart and imagination whilst riding through misty Paris streets on his white horse with flowing wild hair and billowing white shirt. Played by Johnny Depp (could the role be played by anyone else??).

Not the ideal combination for the eve of German invasion when prejudice against both Jewish and Romany cultures reaches its apotheosis. The romance once lit continues to quietly smoulder in a sad, furtive way. Ricci and Depp have received some criticism for what some term as a lacklustre performance in the love scenes but I personally feel that they gave a fitting performance - a Jew and a Gypsy could not really be expected to have a cheery, blazing affair in the given circumstances.

Suzie is contrasted by her radiant and extravert best friend, fellow chorus girl and Russian, Lola, played the marvellous Cate Blanchett. Lola is ambitious and eager for an opportunity for a better life which presents itself in the form of a egocentric Italian Tenor, Dante Domino played by John Turturro. Both supporting actors dazzle and delight with an exaggerated performance, awful accents and both dominate their scenes - but again that is what they were meant to do!

Sally Potter wrote and directed this somewhat dark period costume drama. The words are few but the imagery is plentiful and absolutely crowded with symbols. The action is slow-paced but the impact is instant and hard-hitting. The initial scenes are filmed in sepia - a little clichéd in letting us know that this is the past but it works!

Most of the filming is in Paris which has been suitably dressed-up to re-create the past. Cinematography is by Sacha Vierny, who was an ex-WWII Resistance fighter in Paris and a Russian-Jew giving his work credibility. Watch out for the unusual pursuit through the Place de la Concorde!

The importance of music runs through the film from the father's singing to his little daughter (a song that returns time again within the film), to Suzie's blossoming singing voice, to the opera rehearsals and performances to the gypsy camps. Non of the actors actually sing themselves (Christina Ricci is dubbed by Iva Bittová and John Turturro by Salvatore Licitra) and the dubbing pretty obvious. However, close your eyes and the music is wonderful with operatic selections from Dido & Aeneas, The Pearl Fishers, Il Trovatore, and Tosca as well as the passionate gypsy pieces performed by Taraf de Haidouks. Osvaldo Golijov's soundtrack is glorious and the theme song "Close your Eyes" haunting in melody (composed by Golijov) and lyrics (written by Sally Potter).

So in conclusion, if you want a light, romantic film you will be disappointed. However, if you are prepared for a profound tale of one girl's passage along a path paved with prejudice then proceed. We rented the film selected by my daughter who had a penchant for Johnny Depp at the time (we received nothing but his films for weeks!!!) and I think she expected the first scenario and was disappointed). However despite the fact I groaned at its arrival through the post and watched it somewhat reluctantly, I was totally enraptured by this gem of a film - and I want that soundtrack!!

As I said earlier, I rented the film but a quick glance at Amazon tells me that the film is available to buy from £6.97.
 

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