Klimt (2006)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2006
	Director: Raoul Ruiz
	Actors: John Malkhovich, Veronica Ferres, Saffron Burrows
	Country: A, F, D, GB
	Genre: Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 28.02.2017, DVD, English version
Synopsis: Gustave Klimt (Malkhovitch) lies in hospital, dying. In reveries, he recalls some stories of his life. At the World Exposition in Paris, Klimt meets Georges Méliès, who does a moving picture for him, and Klimt falls under the spell of a woman who may be Lea de Castro (Burrows). Klimt's libertine life with her wife Midi (Ferres) and her models turns to a life of dependency on Lea.
Review: It is not clear whether the ovie is a real biography. I did not manage to find any trace of the encounter of Meliès with Klimt. Nor any film of Meliès on Klimt.  The fascination of Klimt for the woman body is presented as his source of inspiration. Therefore he is chocking the prude Vienna. Therefore also he becomes dependent from the woman body who is not so easy to get, Lea de Castro. The thoughts of Klimt are not presented but more the reactions of the people around him.  Therefore the acting of John Malkhovitch is remarkable for the face and body language. But finally is limited in spoken language. The women's omnipresence is to me the main role. And in many roles. Admiring, seducing, silly, tough, covering many many relations between man and woman. Even if all these relationships are not discussed but only scratches the surface, not below.  From the image point of view, I liked the way the lights are building the space, especially in the rather dark rooms. And the way the space is built with the focal depth in the light rooms.
Rating: 5 /10