"Private Fears in Public Places" is an extremely frustrating film. On one hand, the film is gorgeous to look at and listen to--simply gorgeous. The transitions are quite imaginative and lovely and the music really sets the mood. I would also say that the film by directed well (by Alain Resnais) and the acting was very, very good. But, as for the story, so much of it seemed to make little sense and the overall pieces, though gorgeous, just didn't seem to fit together.
The story is about several people who are slightly interconnected. They all are struggling with feelings of loneliness and quiet desperation. However, a few stories made no sense and I kept hoping for there to be a sense that it would all make sense....which it didn't (such as the snow INSIDE the house). The story that particularly annoyed me was the Christian lady whose behaviors simply made no sense---was this an attack on Christians or just a badly written character? There just wasn't any rhyme or reason to her actions nor are there any hints about who she is. It's maddening--as are many of the other stories. All work like snippets that just don't make up a coherent whole. A beautiful misfire, but a misfire.
The story is about several people who are slightly interconnected. They all are struggling with feelings of loneliness and quiet desperation. However, a few stories made no sense and I kept hoping for there to be a sense that it would all make sense....which it didn't (such as the snow INSIDE the house). The story that particularly annoyed me was the Christian lady whose behaviors simply made no sense---was this an attack on Christians or just a badly written character? There just wasn't any rhyme or reason to her actions nor are there any hints about who she is. It's maddening--as are many of the other stories. All work like snippets that just don't make up a coherent whole. A beautiful misfire, but a misfire.