I’ve recently spent a lot of time with one of my best girlfriends (we’re both single and I really like her) However, I had to have a quick check of my sexuality when I decided to cancel all my plans to see Blue is the Warmest Colour with her.
But what a decision it was…
As Abdellatif Kechiche’s film is French and ‘art housey’ it can’t be viewed in Westfield, so we Curzoned it in Soho. Feeling slightly perturbed by the prospect of three hours of subtitles we popped some pro plus to ensure we wouldn’t pass out. Not a chance in France. Blue is the Warmest Colour is completely captivating….
Adele is a shy and smart schoolgirl who finds socialising extremely difficult. Her brief sexual encounter with a boy does not excite her, but triggers fantasies about the blue haired Emma she spotted on the street.
They find each other in a bar and their passionate love affair begins (and yes – the super long sex scene) I was surprised to hear complaints of inauthenticity. It seemed pretty spot on (couldn’t resist a G spot gag) to me, and for this reason I was perfectly comfortable watching it. Cringe free!
Emma is an artist and self involved, and Adele is a school teacher and doting. She cooks for Emma and strokes her ego. They are different people from different worlds. Emma’s favourite food is oysters and Adele’s is spaghetti bolognaise.
As time passes, things change. Life gets in the way, and the intensity of their passion is diluted. Too much water and not enough Ribena – just slightly pink clouded water! SHIT
The portrayal of the seemingly eternal pain of a break up is meticulous. You actually feel the intensity of Adele’s desperation as she takes a shower, tries to be upbeat in her classes and goes about her day.
There is a raunchy post break up scene, where they snog in a cafe with seriously wandering hands. Call me a prude but I kept imagining what I’d think if I was munching on a croque in a cafe, and on looking up from my Le Monde, I saw someone getting fingered on the next door table…
The last scene leaves us wondering what will happen to Adele. What will become of this once inquisitive and excitable mind that has been exhausted by love? It will probably go and do it all over again…
Blue is the Warmest Colour is an extraordinarily beautiful and honest observation of all that love is. And how quickly it changes.
As we’re on this subject, here is a little break up poem I found in my cyber folder of ramblings. Poor me, poor me, pour me another.
Love lost in the blandness of reason
Of circumstance.
Circumstances we created.
Circumstances we hated
Together.
Have now thrown us apart.
Confined by sweet love, we became entrapped
I called for more
You cried for less
Engulfed by disappointments
Illusions that we should be better,
Different,
Happier.
Expectations were planted
I didn’t see them.
It happened in the night.
But the black earth surrounded them
And they grew.
The upheaval of them
Stirs a tornado in me
and leaves only rubble.
