Lovers On the Bridge

The Lovers on the Bridge is a film presented by  Martin Scorsese.  The plot revolves around two lovers-Juliette Binoche as Michele and Denis Lavant as Alex.  They meet one another on an abandoned bridge that needs renovation.  Both characters are physically and emotionally ill and homeless.  Michele is going blind and Alex limps due to a bus accident.  

These characters fall in love after she exorcises her previous lover from her soul in a dance across the bridge.  She begins her exorcism by shooting a gun with blanks, "seven times for me and seven times for you, and one extra for me." She rants and dances hysterically.  The movement  Binoche obviously choreographed for herself seemed to be inspired by the mad scene in the ballet Giselle.  She danced like a woman rejoicing in letting go of a previous love affair.   Michele is emotionally ill so her movement contained madness and exaltation.  Fireworks went off in this scene; music changed in styles drastically yet harmonically.  She was followed admiringly by the penultimate stalker Alex.  Oh, how he loves a woman. His love is pure-wide open, lawless and  full of unlimited possibilities. He follows her like a hyena ready to gorge himself but he keeps his distance for fear of offending her.  He has found his one. He serves  her as his made up day job. His servitude is scary yet typical of an unrequited  love affair.

This movie moves from love scene to  precise choreographed transitions  frame by frame.  Sometimes these transitional scenes were very funny but my hot, steamy, blurry eyed, tear strewn,  raw face sometimes diluted these fun breaks in tension. So, when I go back to see this movie again, I will try to contain myself so I don't miss these hysterical scenes.

Even as a bag lady Binoche can't hide her breeding.  I liked the way she choose not to. She crafted a beautiful movie for herself with her typical classy minimalism.   I hope Lavant wins actor of the year for this movie.  I give him my vote.

I don't think I have ever been so transcended.  I guess that is the power of pure passionate love.