Jeanne Dielman (1975)

[zen007]

Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, or simply Jeanne Dielman (JD) directed by Chantal Akerman topped the Sight and Sound Greatest Film 2022 Critics poll, sparking a debate if it was chosen on merit or did other factors play their part ... Any film rated at number 1 on this poll is seen or perceived as a masterpiece. Here, I will attempt to see if it is one esp. since there are divided opinions.

Jeanne Dielman - Veal Cutlets - YouTube

Jeanne Dielman is based on the transcendental style of filmmaking where the camera holds onto the screen for as long as possible to bombard the audience with details. The details are supposed to pull the viewers into the film. Eventually, a surprise is thrown in at the end after the audience has gotten used to the mundane sequences. For e.g. take the Lawrence of Arabia sequence where Omar Sharif is introduced. At first, Peter O'Toole and his associate are engaged in mundane/irrelevant activities where the audience almost begins to lose interest. At that point, Omar Sharif is introduced. Of course, Lawrence of Arabia had many other interesting segments as well, along with superb cinematography and score.

Jeanne Dielman takes that concept and spreads its over 200 minutes. Where its audience is exposed to the dull routine of the main character. Slowly, that routine is expected to generate interest by making the audience wonder about the next steps and observe changes if any. Once the viewers have adjusted to the routine, much like with the entry of Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia, they are presented with a surprise.

The positives of the film are its relatively unique concept and the presence of Delphine Seyrig, who carries the film for over 200 minutes. The negatives can be its length, focus around one character, and its positioning at the extreme end of Art where its target audience can be limited.


Is it a masterpiece? For a certain segment, yes. For the wider audiences, probably not ... Is it a dud? Again, it would depend upon whom you ask ... I would put it somewhere in between where it is a notable experimental film that deserves respect for what it attempted to achieve.


Is it a #1 film? Again I would say for a certain segment, it can be as it is at the extreme end of arts on the art-entertainment scale:

ART <-------------------------O-------------------------> ENTERTAINMENT

Dielman ....... Cleo .........Vertigo.............................. Die Hard

If the #1 film has to be unique and a great example of its segment, whether art, entertainment, or something that strikes a balance, why not.


However, for me, there are better options such as Cleo from 5 to 7 esp. if looking at films directed by women. The reasons include:

a) A great example of an experimental art film that can appeal to wider audiences
b) An excellent choice of subject
c) Striking B&W images including of 1960s Paris


On which side of the fence are you?

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by zen007

On which side of the fence are you?

I fell asleep watching that clip.

[Gacivory]

20 out of 10! The most controversial movie of all time! Makes people weak in the knees at the mere mention of it! Not for the easily bored crowd!

[Cremildo]

Hoping to watch it sometime next year. It'll be my first Akerman to boot.

[Bugg]

I'm on the side of the fence that says you actually haven't seen the film yet, if you watched it at 2X speed.

[stvn1974]

I want a version synced up with a soundtrack of Slayer's music.

[OnlyJapantown]

It's the sort of thing that belongs in an art museum more than a cinema. I could make a better case for Robocop as Greatest Movie of All Time than I could for Jeanne Dielman.

[Atomic Salad]

I hear this movie is so mind blowing that it literally causes brain damage.

That's why it's not available to view by any means accessible to us mere popcorn movie consooming plebeians.

The transcendental majesty of this film must be withheld from us for our own good.

[An4h0ny]

How I read this post.

Originally Posted by zen007

Die Hard

BUT... I am definitely going to watch Jeanne Dielman at some point and I secretly enjoy sacred cows being slaughtered once in a while, especially in the arts. This whole Sight & Sound saga is mighty entertaining and as some have pointed out, good for spurring lots of discussion and debate amongst film fans of all kinds. If someone's #1 film of all time is Hellraiser: Bloodline or My Dinner With Andre, I'm not gonna argue with them.

My honest answer is, I have to watch this film first but I have an open mind. I own the Criterion Collection version of Tree of Life if that's any indicator.
I can't really see myself placing this as my #1, but who knows?

It's brave to try something new and/or different. Especially if you know going into it that it probably won't click with a mainstream audience.

[slumcat]

Total masterpiece. A valid choice for the greatest film of all time, at least the top 10.

[Foggy]

Jesus I lost brain cells reading the OP.

Stay in your lane mate.

[kylor]

Never heard of it before. Watched the clip though, can't say it makes me want to watch it, quite the opposite actually.

[Foggy]

It’s worth saying, if people are only just reading about it now. It’s perfectly fine not being interested in it. I would, (and I imagine Chantal Akerman herself) would suggest the film is an acquired taste. You’re allowed to call a spade a spade , and you certainly can call Jeanne Dielman boring if you don’t fancy seeing. But I certainly don’t think you should speed run it or pretend to see it just because it’s now deemed ‘important’. It landed with me because I found a certain charm with it’s ritualistic portrayal of basic actions that calmed my ADHD and I found impact in it’s slow descent into oblivion.

But I definitely feel like there are people on here pretending to have seen it and taking issue it isn’t a standard pick for best film trying to justify it not being a favourable pick. That honestly rub me the wrong way and there’s nothing worse than someone who knows they being phoney.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Bugg

I'm on the side of the fence that says you actually haven't seen the film yet, if you watched it at 2X speed.

People who deliberately watch films sped-up should be launched into the sun.

[zen007]

Originally Posted by An4h0ny

My honest answer is, I have to watch this film first but I have an open mind. I own the Criterion Collection version of Tree of Life if that's any indicator.
I can't really see myself placing this as my #1, but who knows?

Sometimes when the expectations are low, you may actually end up liking a film more than you thought you would. However, you have probably not missed out on the "excitement" by not watching it so far.

Watch it when you are in the mood to watch a slow-burning film and something different!

It's brave to try something new and/or different. Especially if you know going into it that it probably won't click with a mainstream audience.

There would be films that are made for various segments. Jeanne Dielman is being discussed as it is an unusual choice for a #1 (there are various factors that can influence a poll).

[Jay H.]

If every person I care about loved this movie, I still wouldn't watch it.

[Darev]

Why is this even a thing? This movie is almost as old as I am and it's just now becoming talked about? Did simmering happen?

[Mothravka]

I have probably said it before, but it is indeed a masterpiece and a film that has been one of my favourites for many years.

[zen007]

Funny review:

[Show spoiler]

Meet the Worst "Best" Film of All Time - YouTube

[zen007]

A critic who voted for the film appears to struggle to answer why JD is great (apart from its symbolism and the importance of its place in history in the feminist sense ):

BBC World News 2 December 2022 - Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All Time Poll with Lillian Crawford - YouTube