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Siskoid's avatar

Siskoid

Jacques Demy made one American film before swearing off Hollywood, and that's 1969's Model Shop, which I was surprised to find out was the continuation of Lola's character from his first feature. What?! Here I thought the trilogy was Lola - Les parapluies de Cherbourg - Les demoiselles de Rochefort, but no, Model Shop is #3. The even crazier story behind this film is that Demy wanted Harrison Ford for the male lead, but the studio went "who the hell is that?!" and forced him to take Gary Lockwood coming off 2001's success. It's the sad, quiet story of two people who love L.A. but are about to separately leave it, and their somewhat desperate attempt at having a human connection before it's all over. For Lockwood's George, Vietnam looms. For Lola, a string of disappointments (we do find out what happened to Frankie, Michel and the kid in the original film) has led her to a job posing for boudoir photos in the title shop so can go back home. The giggling, flighty coquette of the the first film is gone, replaced by a tired, jaded, older woman, and in a way, this is a story both about a first love and a last love. The question Demy fans may be asking is whether he brings his intense color palette to this film. In the boudoir, it's like we're back in Cherbourg, because it's a fantasy. Elsewhere, Demy goes for a more pastel, washed out look, complete with (very) faded flowery patterns. I get it, it's a world fading from view, where the characters are not properly integrating, but though it makes thematic sense, it's just not as visually striking. I must say that trading French ports for the over-used Los Angeles is a step down, just a lot of beige and dark green on location. I don't think the film is a failure, though it's really made for French audiences who might have a stake in this world. A sequel to Lola is not what the American market was begging for, surely. But for fans of Demy's work, it has its joys and sadnesses.
3 years 8 months ago
daniellegoncalves's avatar

daniellegoncalves

a person can always try.
3 years 10 months ago
greennui's avatar

greennui

Sorely neglected.
6 years 3 months ago
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