Beyond The Clouds [1994] [1997]

The first story stars two extremely good-looking newcomers to the screen (Kim Rossi Stuart & Ines Sastre.) He stops his car to ask her the way to the nearest hotel, and because he is so good-looking she gives him the name of her hotel. They see each other during the day and when they retire to their rooms at night across the landing from each other, she lies awake waiting for the knock on the door that never comes. In the morning she leaves early without seeing him. It is two years before they see each other again and this time their relationship progresses a little further - they get to be naked on the bed together. But he behaves in a very odd way indeed; for some five minutes he runs his hands over her body within a millimetre of her skin but without actually touching her. What she thinks is going on as she lies there passively, feeling nothing, is anybody's guess. Then after five minutes, still without having touched her, he gets up abruptly and without speaking a word leaves. Is that the action of a sane man? You wonder why he bothered to take his clothes off if he intended to do so little. She, presumably feeling hurt and frustrated, rushes to the window to see him walking off into the distance. They give each other a feeble wave. End of story. John Malkovich's deep lugubrious voice-over tells us that he behaved in this way either because of folly or pride. Well it was certainly folly - and certainly unbelievable. Or could it have been impotence? Could this story be saying something about the impotence of an old man?

In another segment of the film, Malkovich's character is attracted to a young woman (Sophia Marceau) he sees in a shop window. He can't take his eyes off her and just stands there entranced. She reacts in the same way. He goes into the shop and their silent fascination continues. I felt uncomfortable for both of them. Was something momentous about to happen? It would seem so and our interest is awakened, our expectations aroused. But no; we are just being lead up the garden path to nowhere. He sits outside and eventually she joins him. She tells him only one thing about herself, that she has murdered her father by stabbing him twelve times. Malkovich shows no surprise and the fact seems irrelevant. They then go to her place and they have sex. But this is not the beginning of some deep, meaningful relationship as the earlier enchantment would lead us to suppose. Oh no. When he's had his sex he's had enough and like the previous male protagonist, he just walks away. Another wretched piece of behaviour and another let down. The point? I wish I new.


Masterpiece   March 6, 2003
32 out of 37 found this review helpful

Most of the reviews of these wonderful four stories are rather chilly and reserved, but for me it's one of best pieces of visual artwork I've ever come across. It's either you take it, or leave it, doesn't matter if the stories could have happened or not and if the characters behave reasonably or otherwise. Give it a try and you'll return to it. BTW - the music is exceptional.


A mix bag of misguided brilliance   December 5, 2000
27 out of 31 found this review helpful

A beautifully shot film. Though at times the continental soundtrack and the in your face scenarios makes you wonder if this is some kind of soft porn film. There are some haunting scenarios (all has been performed well), but some should have been left on the cutting floor. The least plausible one makes you wonder just how does John Malkovich's character gets to bed Sophie Marceau. Even though they are just characters, it makes you wonder if they were only included just to involve the repective famed actors.

Nevertheless, for fans of European Cinema (especially Antonioni) viewing is recommended. For me, this art film walks on a fine line of pretension and genuine liberation.


Couldn't make sense of it - but loved it anyway!   April 18, 2007
Tonkfan
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

The first time I watched this film I was slightly bored - couldn't understand what was being said or why. However, having watched it again recently I took each 'story' at face value and found myself thoroughly enjoying the beautiful camera work and actually making some sense of what the film was about and the various themes at play.

if you're not interested in watching films about the genesis of ideas, this is definitely not for you, but if you just want to sit back and watch a couple of hours of beautiful film making, I would reccomend it.