DEUX (TWO)

(director/writer: Werner Schroeter; screenwriter: Cédric Anger; cinematographer: Elfi Mikesch; editor: Juliane Lorenz; cast: Isabelle Huppert (Magdalena/Maria), Bulle Ogier (Anna, the mother), Jean-François Stévenin (Man in the car), Manuel Blanc (Man with the flower / Russian officer / Henri L. / French officer / Man on the beach), Arielle Dombasle (Professor Barbez), Annika Kuhl (Erika, the mistress), Philippe Reuter (Hans), Pascal Bongard (Alfred), Robinson Stevenin (Young man on the bike); Runtime: 121; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Ulrich Felsberg /Paulo Branco; Gémini Films; 2002-France/Germany/Portugal-in French with English subtitles)

“Due to its lack of structure the film made no sense to me, and was enjoyable only in random artsy-fartsy sequences.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Another weird experimental opaque arthouse film from German director Werner Schroeter(“Tonight”/”Himmel Hoch”). This one is about twin sisters separated at birth. Isabelle Huppert plays both of the sisters, one living in Portugal and the other in France.

Bulle Ogier plays her biological mother. Schroeter has said the material is autobiographical.As usual his film lacks a lucid narrative. It freely moves locations between the beautiful Portuguese coast and Marseilles, as its lush photography is its strongest asset. Opera pieces play throughout. Also there are seemingly strange encounters throughout that have such incidents as a serial killer who leaves roses on his corpses and a lonely woman who has a fox as a household pet.

Due to its lack of structure the film made no sense to me, and was enjoyable only in random artsy-fartsy sequences.

REVIEWED ON 7/1/2016 GRADE: C+