"PERSEPOLIS" Written and Directed by Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud (2007)
Based upon the graphic novel written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi
** (two stars)
My rating may be quite a surprise to most who happen to read this but after watching this film, I have to say that while "Persepolis" is not over-rated, I feel it is very problematic. I knew very little about this film before watching it so in many respects, that was good because I had no pre-conceived notions.
It is also interesting to have seen this film just one day after viewing the wondrous "Wall-E," because here are two films that utilize animation, in drastically different fashions, that both effectively create and present a world that could not have been presented as effectively in a traditional live action format. The stark, sparse, almost "cut-out" picture look of "Persepolis" turns out to be a fantastic way to realize the coming of age tale of Marjane, who struggles not only with the standard growing pains that all teenagers face but doing it while living in a time of war and of politically sanctioned arrests and assassinations that brings the political world right into Marjene's world of family and friends. That is a great start and conflict to have and it immediately engaged me. What is most problematic about this film is the lead character of Marjene.
Yes, in the early stretches of the film, I could appreciate her precociousness as a 10 year old, and the confusion of self-identity during her early teens (especially in the beginning sequences of her life in Vienna). But, after a while, her level of narcissism becomes relentless and irritating to the point where she is no one to root for or even care that much about.
She mopes about her love life as childhood friends are dying in a war. Her episodes of acting out while living in Iran seem to be unrealistic to me as her self-absorbed antics would most likely get innocent citizens and close friends arrested or shot in the streets. But we're supposed to cheer her on because she's EXPRESSING HERSELF, and that's supposed to be a great thing, in and of itself.
Alas, she's miserable in Vienna. She's miserable in Iran. And during a sequence depicting her first heartbreak, she ends up roaming the streets of Vienna for days on end, homeless, foodless and developing bronchitis and for what? Her boyfriend cheated on her?! Gimmie a break and get a job! There seemed to be no appreciation that her parents were able to send her to Vienna in order to keep her safer and to be in an environment where her inquisitive and outspoken nature wouldn't get her killed. It's all about her all of the time and even her own beloved Grandmother scolds her after one ridiculous and dangerous moment with a much needed, "You are a selfish bitch!"
With all that is going on in the world, Marjene never seems to realize that it is NOT always about HER and that is where this film fails. Did I expect her to emerge transformed in that Hollywood way? Of course not. But, I would have hoped that something would've sunken in by the film's conclusion and not just more of her moping around lamenting her love life.
It makes a powerful story so trite no matter how gorgeously illustrated it is.
Originally written June 29, 2008
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