For lovers of neo-noir, this film meets expectations, a modest production in which the actress Elizabeth Debicki shines.
What is the plot of The Burnt Orange Heresy ?
The famous art critic James Figuera gives talks to tourists in Italy, where he also sells his art book. In one of these talks he meets an American tourist, Berenice Hollis. The two start a passionate romance, which coincides with an invitation the critic receives to go to the villa of an eccentric millionaire named Joseph Cassidy. The millionaire wants Figuera to steal a painting by today's most famous painter, Jerome Debney, an artist who is staying in a cottage he owns. James Figuera accepts the commission, because he's in financial trouble. It's a unique opportunity. What can go wrong?
There is something in this film that captivated me from the beginning, the subtle camera movements, make it an elegant thriller, accompanied by a slow but steady pace of the story. The first part is a character presentation, where all the pieces of the game are placed in position, and then there is the thrust, when the crime becomes relevant. This part is where there are some mistakes, with a scene that for me was not necessary to lengthen and a very conventional resolution.
Although I have to reproach him for these details, the film has not disappointed me. On the contrary, when I finished watching it I was totally satisfied. Could it have been better? Yes, I think there are things that could have been improved.
The landscapes of the place and the sober style in which the film is shot are a visual delight. It's becoming increasingly rare to find productions in this style, the new generations seem to want to see frantic camera cuts, accelerated rhythms, etc. When there are stories like this, they are enjoyed like a glass of wine, quietly savouring every sip.
There are important themes that are shown in the film to understand that unique world formed by rich people who collect art. From the beginning we are given to understand that the protagonist is an artist of lies and that everything surrounding the art trade is full of lies. Nothing is the complete truth, nor are the lies themselves totally lies.
For much of the film, we were suspicious of all the characters, especially the female character, who seemed to be lying and hiding something. They are all surrounded by an aura of mystery. The male character sometimes reminded me of the character in the excellent film MachtPoint. As in that film, the protagonist ends up committing a horrible act, to keep alive all the lies created around him.
The film is directed by Giuseppe Capotondi, perhaps not so experienced in feature films, who has directed some short films. He has more experience in the world of television, being the director of some chapters of the series Suburra, Endevaur and Berlin Station. The Heresy of the Burnt Orange is his second big film. It may be due to his lack of greater experience that the film's resolution has certain flaws, but he is a talented filmmaker, who can improve with time.
Actor Claes Bang plays James Figuera, the art critic who uses lies to his advantage. There is little I can say about this actor, I haven't seen the successful film The Square, which was also set in the art world and won him praise and awards in Europe. Claes Bang also starred in last year's mini-series about Dracula, which I didn't have time to see. What I saw in the film seems to me to be a correct actor, but one who lacked strength. I think that is one of the weaknesses of this film. Perhaps with a more experienced actor and a better screen presence, the result would have been a little better. I will look at his previous work, to get a better opinion of this actor.
Mick Jagger plays the millionaire art collector Joseph Cassidy. I would have chosen another actor for this small but important character. Jagger's figure is too iconic, something that distracts me. Jagger doesn't act, he just behaves as he is. I can't stop seeing the rock star. His choice was probably to have a well-known name for commercial purposes. The great actor Donald Shuterland, the father of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Shuterland), plays the famous painter who has set fire to all his previous works of art, lives in a country house that is proportionate but the millionaire and works secretly on his new collection. Another famous name for the film's poster, with excellent scenes where his talent shines.
But the one that catches the eye is the beautiful actress Elizabeth Debicki. She plays the American tourist Berenice Hollis, the woman with whom art critic Figueras started a romance. At first her character is somewhat mysterious, it seems that she is hiding something and is not telling the whole truth about herself. But our perception will change, and we will be surprised by something we didn't expect. The actress plays a great character, she captivated me from the beginning of the film. Moreover, she lets herself be seen with little clothing, so that male viewers can admire all her beauty.
Attentive to this actress, she has participated in important films and television series, each time with more important characters. In her career we find participation in Macbeth, The Great Gatsby, Widows, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, among others. For me this actress was great in the mini-series of espionage The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston (the Loki of the Avengers). Soon we will see her in one of the most anticipated box office hits, the film TENET by Christofer Nolan. Elizabeth Debicki is definitely on the rise.
The film is an adaptation of the book of the same title, written by Charles Willeford. Other novels by the writer have already been brought to the big screen, the only one I remember slightly is one called Miami Blues with Alec Baldwin, in the early nineties, I saw it on VHS, but I don't remember much.
I hope you like the film, otherwise, it doesn't matter, the magic of human beings is to have a different criteria and accept contrary opinions.
My Ranking: 3.4/5
Trailer
POSTER
