As a lifelong enthusiast of offbeat cinema, I must say that Guy Maddin’s latest venture, “Rumours,” has left me both entertained and slightly underwhelmed. Having followed his career since the days of “Tales from the Gimli Hospital,” I couldn’t help but feel a pang of excitement when I learned he was directing none other than Cate Blanchett!
For many years, director Guy Maddin has been known for creating a distinctive style of cinema that combines low-budget, intensely personal, and quintessentially Canadian productions like “My Winnipeg”. In 2024, with “Rumours”, he collaborates with co-directors Evan and Galen Johnson on a project with a broader scope. It’s hard to believe that when Maddin was struggling to fund “Tales from the Gimli Hospital”, he would one day direct an actress as renowned as Cate Blanchett! However, fans of Maddin’s work should be reassured that a bigger budget hasn’t dampened his love for the peculiar.
Speculation swirls around the participants of a G7 summit gathering in Germany. Among those assembling here are Hilda Ortmann (portrayed by Cate Blanchett), who serves as Germany’s Chancellor, Edison Wolcott (Charles Dance), the U.S. President, Maxime Laplace (Roy Dupuis), Canada’s Prime Minister, and Cardosa Dewindt (Nikki Amuka-Bird), the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, along with others. As these seven individuals take their seats in a gazebo, they are focused on drafting a significant declaration addressing a global concern. Predictably, what occupies the minds of these political leaders are bland PR phrases instead of practical solutions.
At dusk, an unexpected situation unfolds for the seven heads of state: their assistants, covert photographers, and the usual crowd are mysteriously absent. The moon appears while a bizarre apocalyptic scenario unfolds – mummified bodies wandering the world, leaving the G7 delegates isolated. They must now band together to navigate this catastrophe and devise a strategy for survival during the end times. In contrast to their flippant social media comments on Middle Eastern strife, these politicians find conventional crisis management strategies ineffective in their luxurious homes amidst apocalyptic upheaval. The humor in this script by Maddin and the two Johnsons lies in their inability to handle such an unprecedented event.
The film, titled “Rumours,” offers a quirky, delightful take with brief undertones of social critique on the values of influential figures. Some comical instances, such as Wolcott dining while wearing an American flag bib or French President Sylvain Broulez (Denis Ménochet) persistently boasting about lost speech ideas, are funny initially but also serve to highlight the self-absorbed behavior of those expected to aid multitudes. Despite the German scenery gradually transforming into settings reminiscent of “The Road,” these leaders were already trapped within their own minds. However, Italian Prime Minister Antonio Lamorte (Rolando Ravello) and his generous gesture of sharing deli meat stand out as a humorous, selfless contrast to others.
As a fan, I must admit that while “Rumours” showcases some truly impressive practical effects, such as the giant brain lurking in the woods, it leans more towards amusing than memorably hilarious for me. Even the witty dialogue exchange between Laplace and the undead is entertaining, yet the movie as a whole seems to be operating on autopilot. Instead of spiraling into an absurdist chaos, the story lacks the necessary energy to keep me fully engaged. The use of vibrant colors in different scenes and the overall directing and cinematography are serviceable but lack the depth I was hoping for.
Part of the issue is just that there’s no evolution to the social commentary, characters, or tone of Rumours. Whereas My Winnipeg was a truly unpredictable (especially visually) delve into the past, Rumours operates in a staccato fashion. Amusing gags undoubtedly grow here. However, there’s also not much variation in humorously depicting politicians maintaining a buttoned-up demeanor during the end times. Enough goes right to make one wish Maddin and company had taken this absurdist comedy further.
In simpler terms, “Rumours” might not be a project that stands out in the long run, but it offers an opportunity to admire skilled actors embracing absurd cinema wholeheartedly. Among these talented individuals, Denis Ménochet caught my attention the most. His acting in “Rumours” is commendable; his character, who believes every word he says is poetry, does so without a hint of self-consciousness. This is particularly noteworthy given that Ménochet’s previous significant role was as the lead in the critically acclaimed and underappreciated film “The Beasts” in 2023. From his subtle performances in “The Beasts” to his eccentric yet subtle character in “Rumours”, Ménochet demonstrates a wide range of acting abilities. If there’s a Denis Ménochet fan club, I’d happily join it.
Not everyone here gets to shine like Ménochet, unfortunately, Part of the problem with Rumours is this actor-centric exercise leaves several key performers with no super-engaging personalities to inhabit. Side characters like Japan’s Prime Minister Tatsuro Iwasaki (Takehiro Hira) have little to no depth to speak of. Stifled and sometimes derivative characterizations in the screenplay keep the comedy from hitting its fullest potential. The tight claustrophobia of Rumours should let the few members of the ensemble cast run wild with oversized personalities. Instead, even Alicia Vikander as a Swedish-speaking devotee to that gigantic brain feels a tad undercooked.
Despite not fully realizing its potential, the film “Rumours” showcases an impressive level of ambition. The collaborative effort between the three directors and cinematographer Stefan Ciupek stands out in creating a visually stunning portrayal of Armageddon, with vivid splashes of purple, dark orange, and red tones. This cinematic representation bears resemblance to “Color Out of Space,” evoking an apocalyptic atmosphere using vibrant colors. It’s amazing how the end of humanity can appear so aesthetically pleasing! The film’s visually striking choices are executed impressively, as are its darkest jokes and performances. Unfortunately, “Rumours” falls short of becoming truly extraordinary, but it does possess noteworthy aspects. In time, snippets from this unique indie comedy may become popular on social media, much like other offbeat productions in the same genre.
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2024-10-17 03:15