Movie Review - Blue Is the Warmest Color

Blue Is the Warmest Color (La vie d'Adele - Chapitres 1 et 2) (2013)

Starring Léa Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos

Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche

***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***

While the sexual chemistry and the heated onscreen love scenes between actresses Léa Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos are a huge reason why Blue Is the Warmest Color garnered such large buzz last year, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised to find the overly long three-hour relationship drama as compelling as it is.  The idea of a 179-minute French-language romance was a bit imposing, but I felt like I had to bite the bullet and jump in to this one considering the fantastic reviews director Abellatif Kechiche's flick garnered.  I'm glad I did because I was treated to a riveting performance by newcomer (to me) Exarchopoulos who brought such raw emotion to her character Adele - a high school teenager when the film begins who begins to fall for a college-aged girl named Emma (Seydoux).  The acting duo carry the film and create one of the more believable relationships I've seen in a long time.

That isn't to say that the film is without faults.  Kechiche certainly sets a languid pace from the get-go with the first hour taking its time in letting us get to know Adele and then Emma.  Emma, in fact, doesn't really even come into the picture until about 45 minutes into the film and even then Kechiche (who also co-wrote the film) allows the young women's relationship to unhurriedly build.  He rather smartly peppers the second hour with multiple sex scenes between his two lesbian lovers -- admittedly some of the most erotic and sensual I've ever seen on film -- which helps keep the audience standing at attention before heading into the film's climax with the inevitable breakdown of the relationship.   While the proper amount of time is spent in each segment of Adele and Emma's relationship, I can't help but think some significant trimmings could have been made in order to whittle things down a bit particularly during the final act.

The film actually takes place over the course of several years and while I appreciated the look at the burgeoning relationship and its aftermath, it certainly would've worn out its welcome had it not been for the riveting performance of young Adele Exarchopoulos.  She's in every scene and not only is she beautiful, but she's one helluva actress.  Her uncomfortable naivety when she discovers her attraction to Emma (heretofore, Adele had believed herself to be wholly heterosexual) is fascinating to watch and her gradual thirst for this new life experience is captured perfectly.  Exarchopoulos brings a vulnerability we don't often see to the screen and her brave performance is one that should have been honored with a nomination at the Academy Awards earlier this month.

Equally brave (both ladies bare all and take part in, as I mentioned, some incredibly explicit sex scenes) is the performance of Léa Seydoux whose Emma gradually leads Adele on her (sexual) awakening.  Like a teacher, Seydoux's Emma recognizes Adele's initial resistance, but also comprehends (moreso than Adele herself) that this is a road that the high schooler truly desires to embark upon.  While Adele is being made fun of by her peers at school for being rumored to have "turned lesbian," Emma gives her the confidence and permission to explore her desires.  Seydoux's strength and Exarchopoulus' innocence play off each other to great effect.

Blue Is the Warmest Color is not going to be for all tastes.  First, you've got to be willing to subject yourself to a foreign film.  Second, you've got to be willing to subject yourself to a three hour foreign film.  Third, you've got to have an open mind to the explicit nature of the piece.  However, if you're willing to take the plunge, you'll be witness to some great performances in a film that isn't perfect, but is worth seeing as a glimpse of a youthful look at some 21st century relationships.

The RyMickey Rating:  B