Glorious is the word that comes to mind when I think about my experience watching this movie. I saw it twice in three days at a festival in Boston and got a ticket to the award ceremony where it won. I saw it the second time to see if I really liked it as much as I thought the first time, because I was so emotionally involved with it. I liked it even better the second time and saw new things and layers I hadn't noticed before.
The way the multiple characters come in and out of the story is challenging but rich. I also loved the style. I can definitely see how Constellation won't be everyone's thing, maybe it will even be a love hate thing. It reminds me in that way of Moulin Rouge because the movie is so BIG and the emotions and visuals so large--it just carried me a way. But I think like Moulin Rouge it will have its huge fan base and even those that don't like it will want to see it because its so unique. The storytelling felt classic--but also, it portrays people of color in a glamorous way and diverse way, and that won't be to everyone's liking neither I'm sure. But for me the experience was groundbreaking. As a woman of color I had never seen in films ("black films," or otherwise) that many characters of color who all had different looks and personalities without any of them being stereotypes. My Aunt rented Mahogony for me and I guess there's been nothing like this since then.
I loved Gabrielle Union who played Carmel. She was on screen the closest I've ever come to seeing what I would like to think of myself up on screen. She was so beautiful and strong and stayed beautiful even after bad events in the beginning.
There is a love scene, a sort of love scene between Hill Harper and Zoe Saldana that blew my mind. I've never seen anything like it, it was my third favorite scene in the movie (mentioning the other two would contain spoilers).
Of course there were some parts of the characters and story that disappointed me, but overall I loved and identified with them (just like I loved the music in this movie and can't wait for the soundtrack--except for two badly out of place tracks).
Overall this was my favorite movie of the year so far and in a long, long time. I took my Aunt whose from the South for the second showing and she was even more emotional, she just cried and cried. She bought the two last copies of the directors other movie, THE VISIT on Amazon that afternoon for her and her girlfriend.
Rumour was Constellation comes out next Valentines day. I'll be there if it's in Boston and if not I'll go to New York or whatever to see it again. It took my breath away.
The way the multiple characters come in and out of the story is challenging but rich. I also loved the style. I can definitely see how Constellation won't be everyone's thing, maybe it will even be a love hate thing. It reminds me in that way of Moulin Rouge because the movie is so BIG and the emotions and visuals so large--it just carried me a way. But I think like Moulin Rouge it will have its huge fan base and even those that don't like it will want to see it because its so unique. The storytelling felt classic--but also, it portrays people of color in a glamorous way and diverse way, and that won't be to everyone's liking neither I'm sure. But for me the experience was groundbreaking. As a woman of color I had never seen in films ("black films," or otherwise) that many characters of color who all had different looks and personalities without any of them being stereotypes. My Aunt rented Mahogony for me and I guess there's been nothing like this since then.
I loved Gabrielle Union who played Carmel. She was on screen the closest I've ever come to seeing what I would like to think of myself up on screen. She was so beautiful and strong and stayed beautiful even after bad events in the beginning.
There is a love scene, a sort of love scene between Hill Harper and Zoe Saldana that blew my mind. I've never seen anything like it, it was my third favorite scene in the movie (mentioning the other two would contain spoilers).
Of course there were some parts of the characters and story that disappointed me, but overall I loved and identified with them (just like I loved the music in this movie and can't wait for the soundtrack--except for two badly out of place tracks).
Overall this was my favorite movie of the year so far and in a long, long time. I took my Aunt whose from the South for the second showing and she was even more emotional, she just cried and cried. She bought the two last copies of the directors other movie, THE VISIT on Amazon that afternoon for her and her girlfriend.
Rumour was Constellation comes out next Valentines day. I'll be there if it's in Boston and if not I'll go to New York or whatever to see it again. It took my breath away.