Read My Lips [DVD]

An Amazon Editorial review used the word 'unease' in its 'Lips' description, and that's a well-done element which makes this french noir-ish thriller so unexpected. And as things come together, ambiguous elements purposely (I think) leave unresolved plot points up to the viewer. I'll be re-viewing this on-edge thriller maybe a few more times, but I must still fill in the blanks myself. Was what's done done on purpose by the character? Were we so wrong throughout the story about the nature of characters? Are the protagonists good, bad, just human? Will they, did they? Why did they? Which motivation(s) moved them? Perplexing and very enjoyable tensions separate this from most films, especially explicit Western-made films.Another french movie with open ends, quite nuanced and complex, is TELL NO ONE Tell No One from the book by best-selling American Harlan Corben. It's like 'Lips'in that viewers are left to make their own decisions.Most people read a book then see the movie. I read so many reviews saying the book was better, I'm reading it after the film. Is it better? No spoilers, sorry. But it's very good. Having seen the movie, I can easily 'see' the characters as I read...I'm just discovering new french directors and as a group they seem more nuanced than British or American film makers. No pat, thorough explanations to cap things off. Viewers add their own takes to understand such films. It's different and I like the lack of explicitness, surety and resulting unease; I'm forced to actually think. The lack of closure and explanation is provocative. Yup, unease works. Here, at least.

Other reviews will give the basic plot and characters,I want to add a comment from the view of production design. You are drawn into the close private world of a deaf, not generally socially integrated woman, and you feel her sense of isolation with every shot. These are tight almost claustrophobic shots, you are breathing her air. She hunches over, and avoids directly looking at people and places and most scenes are built by close downward looking shots. The suspense is built scene by scene, everything counts. Closets figure largely, toilets, unfinished apartments, a roof top. It is no accident that these are all marginal spaces, many of which are private and close in to the body of the main character. An absolutely first rate film and a prime example of how design is critical.

Terrible quality, with things written across the screen, a scam.

After erasing my thoughts nearly twenty-seven times, there is a feeling that I can now conquer this review for the complex French drama, "Read My Lips". Having written over five hundred reviews, I have never found myself at such a loss of words as I did with director Jacques Audiard's subtle, yet inspirational love story. Thought was poured over what was loved and hated about this film, and while the "loves" overpowered, it was the elements that were hated that sparked further debate within my mind. "Read My Lips" is a drama. To be more precise, is a character driven drama which fuses social uncertainty with crime lords with the doldrums of everyday office work. Here is where this review begins to crumble, it is all of these items - but it is more...much, much more. As a viewer, you are pulled in instantly by Emmanuelle Devos' portrayal of this fragile woman named Carla, whose strength is lost to the males in her office as well as her hearing difficulty. Audiard introduces us harshly to her world by removing sound from the screen whenever she is not wearing her aid, causing an immediate unrest, not only from the characters within the film, but to those watching. Without sound, the world is left open to any possibility, and that is frightening.As we watch this difficult and unsettling woman setting into her life, we are then uprooted and given the opportunity to meet Paul (played exquisitely by Vincent Cassel), a slicked-back hair, mustache-wearing lanky man who was just released from prison, homeless, jobless, and forced by his parole officer to get a job. This is how Carla and Paul meet. There is that moment of instant, unsettling attraction. The one where we think she loves him, but he is dark (and here is where it gets even more fun) - and where we think he loves her, but she is dark. The constant role reversal creates the tone of the unknown. Who, as viewers, are we to feel the most sympathy for? Paul sleeps in the office, Carla helps him; Carla looses a contract to a rival co-worker, Paul helps her; Carla's ability to read people's lips comes in handy for a make-shift idea for Paul. The continual jumps back and forth keep you on your chair, waiting for the possibility of some light to shine through this dark cave. It never does. Audiard cannot just allow this story to take place, he continually introduces us to more characters; one just as seedy as the next. Even our rock, our solid foundation with the parole officer is in question when his wife goes missing - a subplot to this film that at first angered me, but upon further debate was a staple finale for this film. Yet none of this could have happened if it weren't for our characters. Devos' solemn and homely look is breathtaking, as she changes her image for Paul; the truth of her beauty is discovered. Paul, the wildcard in the film, continues to seemingly use and abuse the friendship for his final endgame. Then, just as we assume one, Carla takes on one last shape.Audiard knows he has amazing actors capturing his characters. Cassel and Devos could just play cards the entire time and I would still be sitting at the end of my chair. The story, probably the weakest part of this film, is at first random. The interwoven stories seem unconnected at first, but Audiard lets them connect bit by bit. Again, the entire parole officer segment was tangent, but that final scene just solidified the ends to the means. Not attempting to sound vague, but this complex (yet utterly simple) story is difficult to explain. There is plenty happening, but it is up to you to connect the pieces. A favorite scene is when Carla is attempting to discover where some money is being held. That use of sound and scene was brilliant. It was tense, it was dramatic, and it was like watching a who-dun-it mystery unfold before your eyes.FILM: Watch this movie again and again. At first I hated what "Read My Lips" brought to the screen, but after letting it mull in my mind for a couple of days, it proved to be something that had lasting ability. The cast, the story (again, the weakest part), and the sound proved to be a complete jolt to the senses, proving that recycled stories can be told with unique and original twists.VISUALS: Watching this film upconverted in my Blu player, there were scenes that really stood out. The darks were never quite that dark and the brief introduction to light hurt my eyes as it would the characters. This film would benefit with a stronger release, where the color palate was upgraded and perhaps stronger translation, but from a DVD standpoint, this was perfect.SOUND: Audiard's use of sound is one reason to watch this film. Carla condition of being hearing impaired is pushed onto the audience, and the slight sounds that occur in the background give thought to what else may be happening that is beyond our sight. Amazing work by Audiard to bring her focus into fruition.EXTRAS: Nothing. Which is alright here - I would have loved a commentary or the actors speaking of their roles, but instead we are handed just a couple of trailers. I liked the bare-bones of this film because it allowed me to make my own assumptions and win my own debates over what I just witnessed. For "Read My Lips" it worked.Overall, I initially though this was a mediocre French film that I could easily forget about when it was over - I was proved wrong. "Read My Lips" opens the floor for discussion, not just with the characters, but the situations. One will find themselves rooting for Carla in one scene, and Paul in the next. When a discovery is made in Paul's apartment by Carla, I found myself deeply angry. Audiard brought true emotion to the screen with his characters and development, and what he was lacking in plot - the actors were able to carry. I can easily suggest this film to anyone, but be prepared; this isn't a one time viewing film. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.Grade: **** out of *****

I first found this movie in the VHS area of an old video store and just got it because it was cheap. Once I saw that it was subtitled english I almost turned it off but was glad that I didn't. The two outcasts that triumph over the corporate office or the slimball club owner. You can't help not cheering for this quirky couple. I could not believe my luck when I found this movie on DVD and for so cheap. Rent it if you can not buy it

Excellent value

Fantastic story, acting, and directing. But even more than that, the real strength of this movie is the cinematography -- the extreme close-ups of her let us into her world of limited to no hearing. I watched this movie twice on Prime and then had to buy it. I know I'll watch it a couple of times a year. It gets better with each viewing.

This Seller delivered a well-preserved version of this classic film & case, and did it promptly and for the best price.

Read my lips is a solidly acted film that defies palcement in a genre. However it will definately keep you on the edge of your seat.The film itself (without giving much away) covers a multitude of different styles, all effortlessly combined. It is both a character study, a heist movie and romance and a thriller, and yet no one genre takes precedence over another.The plot itself weaves various story lines seamlessly together, and yet will still keep you guessing right up until the end.In short a superb film.

Thoroughly recommended - plot starts slowly and this helps us engage with the realism of the characters and their backgrounds. Certainly a better than average thriller I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.If you enjoy French thrillers this is a good example with the addition of a novel twist done well

Ok I enjoyed watching this film but then afterwards found it annoying . Rather too long and with a far fetched ending . Cassel is great but there just isnt enough meat on the bones of the story to make you care . I supose if there is nothing on the tv then its worth watching . A smug little thriller .

'Read My Lips'is fantastic! This odd, but compelling, thriller benefits from exceptional performances by the two principals, especially from Emmanuelle Devos, who manages to be victimised, intelligent, frumpish and sexy all at the same time.The action is tense and unpredictable, and the developing love story, as the two maladjusted characters begin to support each other, is touching without being sickly.French film at its best!

this is a great, very clever and intelligent film, quite pacey and always getting to its point! well worth the money too.the two main characters come together through there different needs and despite there less than honourable intentions towards each other soon realise they need each other.turning diss-advantage to advantage on both sides