La Jetee (1962)

12 Monkeys attempts to be La Jetee, but La Jetee is no 12 Monkeys. Wrap your mind around that for a moment. Gilliam's powerful, over-budgeted sci-fi apocalypse love story is intense. The Willis // Pitt // Stowe casting proves that with stark imagery, you too can polish old brass to make it look new. BUT, it comes nowhere near the original. Having just finished watching La Jetee, I wish that I could travel back in time to erase my 12 Monkeys viewing and uniquely watch this 1962-short film instead. While Gilliam pulls out his bag of surrealist-charm, what director Chris Marker does is create a whole new cinematic experience. The use of freeze frames, the shot-by-shot storytelling allows you to visit the bleak nature of the current world, the lighted happiness of the past, and the starry future without delving into too much acting. With that said, the strongest element of this film is our characters. WHA...? A film merely using the technique of narration allows for strong characters? Andy, is it possible? La Jetee is nothing short of brilliant. The use of dated sci-fi and obvious lacking budget proves that with an amazing story, and a unique way to present that story, audiences can be captured. Interests can be peaked. History can be created.

In the short 25-ish minutes that this experience lasted, more definition was determined, creativity flowed, and a simplistic (yet complex?!?) story was born -- and in 1962 no less. Knowing the story already, I was concerned that I wouldn't be enthralled with this original - but the technique alone is worth a thousand words. Then, from out of nowhere, just as we are falling for the same woman our traveler has seen from his dreams, she moves. In a film with no motion, only still shots, to have that instance where we transcend the original feel of the film, it just pulls you in further. It demonstrates that director Chris Marker has more in his grasp than just a low-budget movie - he has a vision. He knows that within the short time he must not only tell a convincing sci-fi tale, but at its core, a believable love story. He does it. When the woman blinks on screen, pulling us from the original focus, we swoon (or at least I did). I see instantly Marker's vision and focus for this film. This singular scene is stronger and more defining than any vision that Gilliam could produce.

Found in my "Defining Moments in Movies" book, this is my second unseen film AND my second Criterion film in two weeks ... and guess what - I still have another coming! This run through the "J"s has been impressive and continually show me new images and creative cinema that has been unmatched in today's world. Could you imagine an entire film with merely screen shots instead of motion being delivered today instead of the wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am current mentality. It would be unwatched by the masses but loved by us cinephiles. La Jetee proves that with a smaller budget, a creative plan, and a strong catch ... anything is possible. There is no question in my mind that this film is getting a green highlight with blue star. I will watch this film again. I will suggest it to friends and family - and be prepared - this is the type of film that I think is giftable!