This review originally appeared on the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s “Roll Film” movie review site (http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=219_0_6_0). Each film was also reviewed by my CBF colleague, Greg Borzo, who focused more on the bike content.
LA COURSE EN TETE
2 1/2 Wheels
One of the most effective moments in La Course en Tête comes as we see a rider break down in tears after losing a race. Because this is a documentary, the moment is raw and honest. We are not informed who this rider is, but it is not Belgian cycling champion, Eddy Merckx, the subject of this film. The anonymous rider's moment of devastation is a powerful image taken out of context. This is both the strength and weakness of the entire film.
Director Joel Santoni made a creative decision to explore Merckx's rise and fall on the racing circuit without regard for chronology or narrative. We get bits and pieces of Eddy Merckx's story, but they are scattered throughout. Interviews from different years are spliced together, which further disrupts any coherent time line. The director has embraced the documentary style of cinema verité, which seeks to find truth by using unobtrusive handheld cameras to simply observe without commentary.
We learn that Eddy was a great champion, winning the Tour de France in 1969; that he was a dedicated family man; and that he was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. None of these points are delved into too deeply and, as a result, we never truly get to know Merckx. Santoni would rather show us the life of racers in general than to detail the life of this particular racer.
La Course en Tête begins with old-time footage of bicycle racers from the silent era. This opening not only sets up the subject matter, but also prepares the viewer to experience a film that functions primarily as a silent. There is quite a bit of racing footage included and, without the use of fancy camera effects, it succeeds in revealing the aesthetic beauty of the ride. It's also refreshing to hear racing sequences not backed by synthesizers. (Most of the music would be at home at a renaissance fair.)
To the extent that the film has a point of view, it is that of Merckx's wife who makes it very clear that she would prefer to be the wife of a retired racer. Brutal scenes of falls and injuries punctuate her concerns about her husband's safety. There is also striking footage of racers braving the elements and riding through rain, fog and snow. The combination of these various filmmaking decisions sets a darker tone than expected. The film is much more interested in the hard struggle of the training and racing than the glory of winning.
So am I recommending La Course en Tête? Kind of. I was glad to see many of its powerful images and there were a few moments that allowed me to viscerally share the experiences of these great athletes. Unfortunately there is also a lot of footage that seems redundant and most likely included as filler.
I wanted to learn more about Merckx, but very little information was conveyed. Those already familiar with his story may be better served, but, as "the Movie Guy" whose knowledge of bicycling champions begins and ends with Lance Armstrong, I will need to look elsewhere to be educated.
LA COURSE EN TETE
2 1/2 Wheels
One of the most effective moments in La Course en Tête comes as we see a rider break down in tears after losing a race. Because this is a documentary, the moment is raw and honest. We are not informed who this rider is, but it is not Belgian cycling champion, Eddy Merckx, the subject of this film. The anonymous rider's moment of devastation is a powerful image taken out of context. This is both the strength and weakness of the entire film.
Director Joel Santoni made a creative decision to explore Merckx's rise and fall on the racing circuit without regard for chronology or narrative. We get bits and pieces of Eddy Merckx's story, but they are scattered throughout. Interviews from different years are spliced together, which further disrupts any coherent time line. The director has embraced the documentary style of cinema verité, which seeks to find truth by using unobtrusive handheld cameras to simply observe without commentary.
We learn that Eddy was a great champion, winning the Tour de France in 1969; that he was a dedicated family man; and that he was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. None of these points are delved into too deeply and, as a result, we never truly get to know Merckx. Santoni would rather show us the life of racers in general than to detail the life of this particular racer.
La Course en Tête begins with old-time footage of bicycle racers from the silent era. This opening not only sets up the subject matter, but also prepares the viewer to experience a film that functions primarily as a silent. There is quite a bit of racing footage included and, without the use of fancy camera effects, it succeeds in revealing the aesthetic beauty of the ride. It's also refreshing to hear racing sequences not backed by synthesizers. (Most of the music would be at home at a renaissance fair.)
To the extent that the film has a point of view, it is that of Merckx's wife who makes it very clear that she would prefer to be the wife of a retired racer. Brutal scenes of falls and injuries punctuate her concerns about her husband's safety. There is also striking footage of racers braving the elements and riding through rain, fog and snow. The combination of these various filmmaking decisions sets a darker tone than expected. The film is much more interested in the hard struggle of the training and racing than the glory of winning.
So am I recommending La Course en Tête? Kind of. I was glad to see many of its powerful images and there were a few moments that allowed me to viscerally share the experiences of these great athletes. Unfortunately there is also a lot of footage that seems redundant and most likely included as filler.
I wanted to learn more about Merckx, but very little information was conveyed. Those already familiar with his story may be better served, but, as "the Movie Guy" whose knowledge of bicycling champions begins and ends with Lance Armstrong, I will need to look elsewhere to be educated.
1 comment:
I just heard about this film on bikesnobnyc and thought I would see what someone thought about it.
Thanks for the review
Post a Comment