Blue Is the Warmest Color (Criterion Collection) (Blu-ray) by Criterion Collection

I feel like a a hypocrite first of all, since I usually have no time at all for European cinema. In short, I tend to loathe it, since no films I have seen measure up, but in this case, I have the most amazing exception.It is the most erotic, beautiful, and explosively sexy lesbian film I have ever seen, and despite its three hour running time, I was totally into it and could not stop the thing to watch the rest the following night which I was going to do. The leads, particularly the gorgeous Adele Exarchopoulos are stunning. There is an emotional depth which I think is rare and the visuals are raw and dynamic. The racy love scenes took my breath away to be perfectly frank, and I wanted to see the film over and over again, which I will do. Even scenes where they are not making love, the scenes where Adele is only eating on a date and when she is talking are sexy, because she looks so sexy even when she eats and when she talks and smiles. And the scene where she is talking to another girl about another about another girl who passes having a cute ass is sexy because she plays it so well and she doesn't have a bad one herself.I Have come down hard on European cinema before and I do stand by what I think of it in general, but the one thing I have always liked about it is their total liberty and fearless attitude towards sex and nudity in films and it's always beautifully done. A film like this would never be made as good in the US, but here it is an exquisite masterpiece of lesbian filmmaking and a beautiful love story at its centre. It's a pleasure seeing these two girls making love when they get together and you really feel the passion and it is so erotic, especially after the glorious flirting and looks and eyeing up of Adele to her blue haired lover to be before. The peaceful scenery and sound also add to the viewing pleasure. If only all European films were like this, but if they were, we wouldn't appreciate the good stuff when it comes along.I would recommend anyone who is a fan of this kind of thing to check this out, since you may not have a better three hours of movie lesbianism or sexy romance to thoroughly enjoy.

What is it with the French? If Hollywood were presented with this script it would be cut down to 90 minutes, the intensity would be lost and there would be plot holes all over the place. Thankfully, French cinema does no such butchery.Lets get this out of the way - the sex scene. A lot has been made of the lengthy scene in which the two female leads are involved. It is presented in a way which only continental European cinema can do - honest, unflinching, 'real and beautiful. It is very cleverly shot and is incredibly realistic. The two are clearly giving it all they can. Aside from that, in context it makes perfect sense. If the film was missing this scene, the slow build up of the sexual tension in any new relationship would be lost. This scene is the culmination of that, and happens a lot earlier than you expect.The rest of the film is equally engrossing. You almost feel as if you're taking the journey with Adele, all of her emotions, personality, mannerisms... By the end of the film (and it is one hell of an ending) you can feel exactly how she feels. Particularly if you've ever been in such an intense, passionate and sometimes explosive relationship.As for the blu-ray quality - it is excellent. I cant imagine seeing this in anything less than HD! The sound is crisp and clear. So much so that you can sometimes hear the characters breathing - which is how life is. My only grip would be the massive increase in volume during the club scenes - the music is far too loug so be ready for it.Overall, an amazing film with stellar performances. If (as rumour has it) the director was brutal with the actors, the end result show it in spectacular fashion. Such powerful performances from relative newcomers is impressive.I don't often say this, but my god this is good.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect because the reviews are so divided on this film, but I found it quite moving. Yes, it's explicit, and yes there is a certain element of voyeurism present -- why, for example, do we need to see Adele in the shower? -- but overall I feel that the extreme focus on Adele is justified. The acting, especially that of Adele, is mind-bogglingly good -- really ace performances all around. And yes, there are unexplained bits (as some reviewers have complained about) but I didn't mind that because this film is not about the plot, but about the emotion of the relationship between these two women, and more precisely about Adele's evolving sexual identity. The film is graphic, definitely, but anyone who calls it porn has not seen actual porn, as this bears little resemblance to that. I would actually watch this film again because I found the central performance so mesmerising.