Holy Motors
Director: Leos Carax
Starring: Denis Levant, Edith Scob, Eva Mendes, Kylie Minogue
In French w/ English subtitles

[rating: 4/5]
In today’s world of rehashed ideas and rushed sequels, it’s rare for a
film to come along that is more than just images on celluloid, and
rises to become an event in and of itself. Holy Motors is just such a
film; a daring, exciting, risky piece of bravado that dares viewers
not to be intrigued, mesmerised and enthralled.
Denis Levant stars as no less than 11 characters throughout the film,
which takes place over the course of a single day. The main character,
if you can call him that, travels from location to location in Paris
in the back of a limousine driven by Edith Scob, the closest thing
Levant has to a friend. At each location, Levant steps out of the
limousine to play a role, a character, and after a short time in each
role, he moves quickly to the next. Viewers will be better off seeing
the film without any knowledge of the characters, but they are worlds
apart in their lives, experiences and places in the world.
Writer/director Leos Carax, who is returning to feature-length
directing after a 13 year absence, plays it mostly straightforward,
and when he does, the film is tense, gripping and engaging. The film
touches on themes of identity, humanity and technology, sometimes
crudely and sometimes with a delicate touch. Carax leaves
interpretation, not only of the short vignettes, but of the
overarching story, in the hands of the viewer. It’s never clear
whether the people Levant is interacting with are other actors, or
whether they know he’s playing a role himself.
Levant is a revelation, slipping seamlessly and effortlessly between
the 11 characters, while always maintaining a haunted look of despair.
It’s impossible to imagine this film receiving a Hollywood-remake,
because there just isn’t a Hollywood actor who would pull off the
Levant role, and without it, this film would not be worth the trouble
of seeing.
The only misstep comes when Carax occasionally plays for moments of
levity. It’s in these moments, especially towards the end, that the
film loses some its power, as it’s artificiality comes to the
forefront.
Still, Holy Motors is a stunning film, a brave piece of filmmaking
that defies expectations at every turn. If Carax had played it
completely straight, it would have been a masterpiece for the ages,
but as it is, he’ll have to settle for a film that people will be
talking about for a long time. Don’t miss it.

Liam McGinniss