tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post8991363105941887195..comments2023-10-28T11:09:18.671+05:30Comments on Cinemascope: Femme Fatale [2002]Shubhajithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-62671131221889453872010-05-21T07:41:17.253+05:302010-05-21T07:41:17.253+05:30I completely disagree with your view that style an...I completely disagree with your view that style and substance are mutually dependent on each other. Yes, they might complement each other, but that is not to say if a movie has style it has an equally strong substance, and vice varsa. <br /><br />Substance refers to the content of the work, while style refers to how it is presented. Given that, I fail to see why do they always have to be in the other's company. If you've seen Ritwik Ghatak's films, they are classic examples of substance over style. Even movies like Five Easy Pieces may be included in that category. Style over substance, on the other hand, might include a host of big-budget films whose contents aren't their strong points, but are presented in a manner as to make them appear attractive & glossy - though 'style over substance' is not necessarily a bad thing always.Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017832040275963428.post-77494919511944404452010-05-21T03:25:27.390+05:302010-05-21T03:25:27.390+05:30The phrase "style over substance" is, fo...The phrase "style over substance" is, for me, the most bizarre and nonsensical of crit phrases. I just don't see how the two can be separated, just as I don't see how form and content can be. A movie is a movie, and its "style" informs its "substance" and its "substance" informs its "style." I don't understand how they can be seen as separate, independent elements. In his review of No Country For Old Men Jim Emerson wrote, "You may as well try to take the VistaVision out of The Searchers and put it in a bowl, extricate the editing and hang it on the shower rod, remove the John Ford and place it over there, next to the radiator," and I agree.<br /><br />Anyway, I really love Femme Fatale. It may be De Palma's most technically precise work, and is certainly one of his most optimistic.Doniphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407443845368110678noreply@blogger.com