MovieChat Forums > Journal d'un curé de campagne (1954) Discussion > Not for everyone...

Not for everyone...

posted 19 years ago by man-man-dot-org
19 replies | jump to latest

I appreciate the craft and beauty of the film, but I have to say it wasn't for me. I don't normally have a problem with "slow" films, but Journal literally put me to sleep on three consecutive nights, including one where I'd braced myself with coffee and was psychologically ready to take "another run" at it.

It's glacial in pace and agonizingly focused. Not easy to watch, even for somebody who likes Bergman and von Trier and other "slow" directors.

An excellent movie, and I wish I had whatever quality is required to truly appreciate it. But, like some fine cuisine, I recognize the talent and the majesty while just not being able to get around that particular taste.

[–] Anscules 19 years ago

i feel the same way, and i like other bresson films. i stuck with it and watched it in one sitting, but glacial was a good way to describe the pace. i began fighting sleep with an hour to go.

my favorite bresson remains MOUCHETTE.

"Rampart: Squad 51."

[–] derekisdman 19 years ago

I can't watch most tarkovsky films. Most of them are twice as slow and an hour longer, but DOACP was no problem, I really enjoyed it. I'd rank it right in the middle of Bressons filmography that i've seen thus far.

1. A Man Escaped
2. Au hasard Balthazar
3. Diary Of A Country Priest
4. Money
5. Lancelot Of The Lake

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[–] ObsoleteVernacular 19 years ago

i read some of these reviews from here because ive had it for a while on criterion and thought about watching and some reviews like the poster's turned me off, but others turned me on, i watched it anyway, and i started falling asleep in the middle but i was watching it at 4 in the morning by myself, so i grabbed a bag of pretzels because u cant fall asleep while eating, and i had no problem the rest of the film.

I was very glad that i watched it, it was amazing, and it didnt hurt being a believer but im sure it is amazing for non-believers, Bresson's achievement in this film is just astonishing, its the only Bresson film ive seen but i just bought au hasard balthazar. And a day later or so after i watched Diary, i wanted to watch it again but i havent gotten around to it yet.

For anyone who has reservations about watching this film, put them all aside and watch it, especially if u like Bergman, Ozu, and others.

Last Movie I Watched:
Hannah and Her Sisters(again)-Woody Allen

[–] GloriaStitts 19 years ago

I wish I had the financial luxury to own a Criterion disc and yet still contemplate watching it or not :)

I'm thinking of picking this one up, but I'm sure it will be as others have mentioned a challenge to watch. I own "Au Hasard Balthazar" and it was very moving (and has remained so after many viewings); however, it required time and some pretty intense discussions with other movie buffs (and myself) to unveil it's profundity and intelligent construction. I'm sure "Journal..." will also be a grower of sorts. I think Bresson wanted that as he seems to relish giving nothing away without a struggle.

[–] jameskinsman 19 years ago

I totally agree with the original poster. Whilst I appreciated the delicate subtleties of the cinematography and acting, I did find the film hard work.

I hope over time, as I watch other Bresson films, I will come to enjoy his films more. Nevertheless, I don't dispute his skill.

"When the legend becomes the fact, print the legend."

[–] ObsoleteVernacular 18 years ago

watched the film a second time last night and thought the whole thing was intriguing, even more than the first time. the way bresson captures his solitude is magnificent.

watching pickpocket later today.

Last Film I Watched-
Diary of a Country Priest(2nd) - Robert Bresson (10/10)

[–] enbilal 18 years ago

All of his movies are great. I find it very hard to rank them. When I am in optimist mood, I prefere 'A Man Escaped' to the rest. That much I am sure. But I also liked the rest of the prison 'trilogy'. 'Devil Probably' is also a great movie.

[–] bucky_bleichert_lives 18 years ago

No... it did not put me to sleep at all. To the contrary, I was anxious the entire time, to see what would become of the priest.

Yes, there were slow moments, but Claude Laydu's hypnotic face always comes back to the forefront and demands that you watch.

I was very touched.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gerr 18 years ago

Watch "Nattvardsgästerna" (Winter Light) then, I read somewhere a while ago that Bergman said Diary had had great influence on him making that movie.

Ymdb
http://www.ymdb.com/kotas-frantisek/l32468_ukuk.html?movieUp=0087803

[–] clamtheman 16 years ago

I have to agree with the original poster. I appreciate the art of this film and the genius of Bresson, I have liked his other films, but I couldn't concentrate on this. I watched it in two parts after having fallen asleep in the middle.

I love "slow" films but this seemed hard to me although, as I said, I do appreciate the seriouness of this film. Perhaps I found it difficult because of the subject matter, as a non-believer I found it hard to be sympathetic of the priest (until near the end). Also I sometimes think that I 'should' like these kinds of film and so try to hard.

I have to disagree with the person who compared this to Ozu. IMO it's nothing like Ozu's film-making which I've always found to be beautiful to look at and far more forgiving.

[–] JekyllBoote-1 15 years ago

It amazes me that anybody could fall asleep during this film. Every time I watch it, I find it utterly compelling.

What did you expect? A "multi-climactic" blockbuster?

[–] clamtheman 15 years ago

JekyllBoote-1 - "What did you expect? A "multi-climactic" blockbuster?"

Ahh the old "if-you-dont-like-the-films-I-like-you-must-be-a-moron-who-likes-action-films" argument.

I think you need to read the thread again because everyone gave this movie a chance and were fairly complimentary to Bresson, the OP included. Nobody slated the movie and I think we're entitled to our views. We are clearly not the blockbuster crowd gone astray. Do try to keep up.

[–] lukechong 15 years ago

I agree this movie is extremely slow. Even by Bresson's standards (this is my fourth Bresson). But "glacial" may not be the right word for it. I think the fact is the movie is so inward-looking that the dragging pace tends to be accentuated.

One must note this is the first time Bresson is experimenting with this style of movie-making.

I must admit I was hypnotized by the movie in more ways than one.

[–] JekyllBoote-1 13 years ago

Ahh, the old "false antithesis" ploy.

Ahh, the old "put words in their mouths" tactic.

Ahh, the old "you didn't read the thread properly and haven't understood the issues" move, combined with the "you're just a bighead who disagrees with everybody else" manoeuvre.

Incidentally, do try to make your pronouns (e.g. "everyone") agree in number with the verbs to which they are attached (e.g. "were" [sic]).

[–] AssetsonFire 12 years ago

I wouldn't call it slow as such, in fact the editing seemed remarkably terse and fast-paced. Instead I'd agree on your description of agonisingly focused, also concentrated, claustrophobic even. There's virtually no humour in the film and a lot of circuitous dialogue. I didn't like it much.

[–] logan03 11 years ago

Can only speak for myself, but I think some of us who have had issues with faith would certainly be drawn more to it...if only to see if we could learn from him and how he maintained his faith. It didn't feel plodding to me, though certainly slow, because I felt I was learning much along the way, some in ways I could personally related to.

I began to admire his courage and perserverance and wanted to see where it would lead him - that is what kept my attention (though I admit I did take a couple of kitchen/snack breaks for diversion...(smile)). It all paid off - I thought it was an excellent film and would watch it again at some future date.

You've done some bad things, sweetie.

[–] armensog 8 years ago

Doesn't have to be for everyone, you have to relate to the ideas and thoughts of the movie to be interested in it. The only thing that bothers me is that "slow" "fast" "whatever" classification. A movie is a movie, each serves it's purpose. If it's done good it's done good, just ditch those classes into the bin. Cheers