Something in the Air (2013 US)

Something in the Air (2013)
Director:  Olivier Assayas
IMDB Rating:  6.5 (12/29/13)
PuRock's Rating:  7 French Revolutions (Out of 10)

Pros:  Setting, Good Debut Performances, Music
Cons:  Lack of Love for Life

This is a beautiful film about young Europeans and their ideas of Revolution.  To me the film isn't about the final output of their revolutionary tactics.  Instead the struggles of being a youth in the late 1960s.  The characters all want to make a big difference, but at what cost?  To me that's the beauty of this film, the choices that the characters make.  Trying to find their place and path in life amid the chaos of the late 1960s.  Do you bite the bullet and 'grow up' or do you keep on fighting to make a difference?  They make some tough decisions concerning relationships, jobs, and friendship.

However, could it hurt the actors to enjoy their lives a bit more?  Thinking back, I don't remember a single smile throughout the entire film.  They are doing passionate things, making passionate love, chasing their dreams but every character seems to be miserable doing so.  Are their lives, which appear to be pretty free, so bad?  Now I will say that the debut performance by Clement Metayer was very strong.  He carried a good presence whenever he hit the screen.

Its also very hard to track where the characters are at times.  Italy? France? England?  The narrative left me wondering often, where are we, and why?  Overall the feel of the film, the music, and the progression of decisions make this film worth the watch.

Now smile for the camera!