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Carmen DVD Review
Carmen DVD Credits:
Carmen Directed by:
Carlos Saura
Carmen Written by:
Carlos Saura
Carmen Cast:
Antonio Gades, Laura del Sol, Paco de Lucía
Carmen Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Carmen DVD Release Date:
4th August 2008
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Carmen Synopsis:

Carmen DVD Review:

Jose, once a respected military officer, adopted the lifestyle of a bandit after he committed a murder. A murder he committed out of anger and love for a woman. Now on trial for murder and facing the possibility of the death penalty, Jose confides in a man he hardly knows, Prospero. Jose tells the story of his life, how he arrived at his current circumstances, and of the woman who changed everything. The woman who gave him everything and in the process took everything away from him . . . Carmen.
The film is based on the novel written by Prosper Merimee and the popular opera with the same title. While the film is a bit tasteless and vulgar at times Carmen is a highly stylized entertaining story how love can shake up a man’s world a make him become a completely different person, blinded by his hopeless devotion. The mise-en-scene of the film is done very lavishly and over the top. One could write an entire essay on just the costumes worn, the locations where the filming took place, etc.
The best thing the film has going for it is how it is stylized. The costumes, the locations, the make-up, the music, etc, also gave this film the authenticated look it needed in order to be taken seriously. Everything on screen puts the audience into 19th century Spain and is a great representation of a Spanish Period Piece. The character of Carmen was the master manipulator.
I’m not sure which story came first, but I saw a few resemblances to the character of Evita in this story. Jose did a great job of portraying a man who was completely under a woman’s spell. The story-telling was top notch with how Carmen influenced Jose more and more to the point where he wasn’t in control of his own actions.
Granted I am not an expert on Spanish cinema, but I found parts of the film slightly distasteful and vulgar. I don’t know if it’s just my ignorance to what is acceptable in Spanish cinema or what. I guess I just didn’t see the point in making the language and content so graphic since the story can be told without it. Another criticism that I have is how I had trouble following the religious references as well. While I understood the tie-in the woman alluded to between gypsies serving Satan, I did not understand the references made to worshipping the “Basque Virgin”. They made references to the anti-Christ in the beginning of the film referring to the birth of him being the antithesis to the birth of Christ, so I wasn’t sure if the “Basque Virgin” was supposed to the antithesis to the Virgin Mary. I just wasn’t sure why the religion mentions were included in the film.
Paz Vega was great as Carmen. I hated her character, but loved the performance. Leonardo Sbaraglia underplayed the role of Jose to very well. He was passive yet arduous at the same time. The chemistry he has with Carmen was excellent. The audience got a real grasp for the internal conflict he had with wanting a woman whom was both unfaithful to him, yet at the same time could control his every move. Jay Benedict did fine as Prospero, but nothing spectacular.
The soundtrack featured solid score from Jose Nieto, but I found it interesting that they didn’t use any pieces from the opera in the background.
As far as DVD extras are concerned, there were a whole bunch of trailers for other Spanish films. A little disappointing since you’d think they have more behind the scenes stuff for a film that is 5 years old.
The target audience of this film would be fans of Spanish cinema since it was nominated for several Goya awards. Fans of the original novel and opera would also want to check this film out.

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Carmen DVD review written by: Ralph Eichenlaub

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