Fred Schepisi’s Words and Pictures is by far the most enjoyable and surprising film I’ve seen currently screening in Toronto. It’s light but full of sparkling dialogue, and rich with surprisingly acute knowledge of the human soul. Sophisticated cinema-goers might feel tempted to skip the seemingly conventional story of a romance between two middle-aged art teachers, sensing the sweet, romantic sauce that dominates popular cinema. I hope they don’t, because they would miss a true gem.
Dina Delsanto (Juliette Binoche) is a valued painter who, due to a physically limiting illness–rheumatoid arthritis can be a professional kiss of death for an artist!–tries to find a new language of expression. She also teaches teenagers art and recently changed schools, now taking her first steps in Croyden, where Jack Marcus (Clive Owen) is a veteran. Once a respected writer and accomplished poet who was employed by the school on the wave of his success, he has long been in a creative stupor. Beloved by students for his playfulness and passion, he’s not that enjoyable for the school board, which does not support his carefree approach to teaching and his growing alcohol problem. During one of her classes, Delsanto tells students that words are “lies” and “traps,” so Marcus, a dedicated worshiper of language, calls for a “war ” in which two opposing student parties representing those two fields of art will “fight” under the leadership of their mentors. What will win, words or pictures?
It sounds like a recipe for sugar-coated disaster. But Schepisi’s film is closer to the romantic vision of Before Sunrise than the mass-produced idyllic studio productions that have their protagonists live “happily ever after.” Gerald Dipego’s script is something to admire, precise but charmingly light. There’s some intriguing trouble on display here, and the film is a successful portrayal of changing times in which everything that once mattered slowly loses value.
Casting Binoche and Owen was an inspired move. They connect immediately onscreen, creating a truly amazing dynamic. They manage such create intriguing, multidimensional and relatable characters that viewers will willingly follow their relationship to the very end. Devoid of any trace of pathos, Words and Pictures presents an intimate portrait of a tangibly human relationship between two people who are perfectly aware of their shortcomings and don’t hide them. They can be honest about pain, even as they inflict it on themselves, and they can always find time to laugh. There are hardly any weak spots to be found here. Like a meticulously cut diamond, Words and Pictures I’ll be happy to repeatedly gaze at with pride, because even though it’s small, it’s truly precious.
One thought on “TIFF Review: Binoche and Owen Form a Great Onscreen Bond in ‘Words and Pictures’”
Nice review. I caught this in Toronto and also thought it was a great film. I was really surprised at how good Clive Owen was. I haven’t seen a lot of his films and somehow thought he was more of an action-type actor. Wow, he was great! Juliette Binoche was very strong too, but he really stood out.
Walt