The Guardian’s Film Review of Blue Is the Warmest Colour by Peter Bradshaw by Zsuzsa Fruzsina

            The Guardian’s review of Abdellatif Kechiche’s film Blue Is the Warmest Colour was published on the online site on 21^st of November in 2013 by Peter Bradshaw. The film came out the same year and it was written, produced and directed by Kechiche and was based on the novel of the same name of Julkie Maroh. Despite some internal dissents, the film had won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Peter Bradshaw, the reviewer of the film is one of The Guardian’s professional film critics who himself had written three novels. As The Guardian is one of the most popular British magazines both online and in print, the review’s audience is not necessarily limited to a certain circle of people. Therefore, anyone who is interested in a professional critic’s opinion about one of the most successful films of 2013 could rely on Bradshaw’s review.

            Bradshaw’s thesis elevates the film on the level of those epic films that deal with the “cataclysmic, intense and unforgettable” nature of love. Although he mentions the dissentient relationships between the director, the actors and the writer, he ensures the readers that the impact of the film is unaffected by them. What is more, he argues that a second viewing could increase that impact as it can clarify the underlying disconnect between the two lovers which helps to understand their last frenzied argument. He also highlights that the film does not tell a love story of an equal relationship. He supports this opinion by the French title of the film which puts Adele in the centre of the story. His comparison of Adele’s first boyfriend to John the Baptist and the later lover Emma to Christ serves as support for the argument that the film is a passionate account of their intense and sparking love. Bradshaw also discusses the famous and explicit sex scene of the movie to argue for the passionate nature of the film. Unlike some sophisticates, he does not dismiss the part as boring, unauthentic or exploitative. He rather argues that it is a fictional scene and likens it to other made up movie scenes.  Bradshaw draws the reader’s attention to the hidden symbolism of the fading blue colour in Emma’s hair which correlates to the cooling of their relationship. He recalls the scenes where the lovers meet each other’s families to indicate their different social status and to highlight the inequalities of their relationship. Finally he claims that Adele and Emma’s story depicts love, neither young nor first but love as it is. To support this, he refers to the ambiguous final scene of the film which does not ensure the viewer that they would ever find something better than they had.

            Peter Bradshaw’s review is an example of a professional account of a film from a professional critic. This is reflected in his use of language and in his style. The review is informative and can be easily read but it is not overrun by slang words. Nevertheless, his matter-of-fact reasoning does not leave the reader in doubt whether the film worth watching. The style is rather formal than informal; however, it is comprehensible, and not least, interesting sometimes even with a very slight ironic undertone.

            The review is clearly divided into paragraphs and the structure follows the logical train of thought that connects the different paragraphs. Bradshaw starts his writing with an insight of the background of the film and approaches the topic from a general observation. He connected background information and public opinion well with his own ideas to support his argument. However, he does not give a synopsis; he only provides some information here and there in his review when it is necessary for his arguments.

            Peter Bradshaw gives a reasonable, clear and well-developed account of the Blue is the Warmest Colour. Although his review is professional and I find it trustworthy, I think it is intended for those who have seen the film. If the reader is familiar with the subject, it is a fair and well supported review. I did not only appreciate his review because it was similar to my opinion but also because he did not force his opinion on the reader. His reasoning and his arguments stand firm which makes his review a proof of his writing skills for me. Taking into account the points that make a review good and worth reading, I would strongly recommend Peter Bradshaw’s writing about Blue Is the Warmest Colour to anyone who has seen the film.

Source:

Bradshaw, P. (2013, November 21). Blue Is the Warmest Colour – review.  The Guardian, Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/21/blue-is-the-warmest-colour-review