Film Review: Isabelle Huppert Gives Daring Performance in Excellent ‘White Material’

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HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Can dedication overcome all odds? Film has taught us for years that it is the truly justified, righteous, and committed that will prevail. Of course, life is not that simple. And the films of the masterful French director Claire Denis often brilliantly portray the true complexity of life. Her newest film, “White Material,” completes an amazing 2010 one-two punch with the excellent “35 Shots of Rum” released earlier this year. She’s one of our best international filmmakers.

The dedication I speak of belongs to Maria, perfectly played by one of our best living actresses, Isabelle Huppert. One could call Maria dedicated or merely stubborn but as “White Material” progresses it becomes clear that whatever you call her, her story is unlikely to end happily. Maria runs a coffee plantation in an unnamed African country in tumultuous times. As the film opens, she is traveling back to her plantation and remembering the recent days of unrest that have led her to this place.

StarRead Brian Tallerico’s full review of “White Material” in our reviews section.

The world around Maria’s home, which she shares with a practically-useless son (Nicolas Duvauchelle), has become increasingly hostile. Like many African countries, it is unstable and deadly. Early in the film, a man from a helicopter warns Maria to leave as the French soldiers that have served as the dam holding back complete chaos are leaving. She ignores him. As her workers pack up and leave, she ignores their warnings as well. Everything screams at Maria to leave but how easy would it be to simply discard everything you’ve worked your entire life to have?

In a nod to the colonialism that has become the focus of violence from the natives, the plantation wasn’t even started by Maria. It was her ex-husband Andre (Christopher Lambert), a man who refuses to “get massacred over some coffee” and her ex-father-in-law’s but Maria is there now and she’s not going anywhere. When a rebel leader known only as The Boxer (Isaach De Bankole) crosses paths with Maria it changes both of their lives forever. Meanwhile, Maria’s son takes a left turn in an incredibly unpredictable way, a clear symbol for the shifting sands everywhere around her.

StarContinue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “White Material” review.

‘White Material’ stars Isabelle Huppert, Christopher Lambert, and Isaach De Bankole. It was written by Claire Denis, Marie N’Diaye, and Lucie Borleteau and directed by Denis. It opens on November 19th, 2010 at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. It is not rated and runs 105 minutes.

White Material
White Material
Photo credit: IFC Films

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