Christopher B
Louis Malle's most abstract and interpretive work is one that while not understood at the time, wait until you see the film, has garnered attention more recently. Going in to this film you have to turn off that notion of following a direct plot line and logic because the film is most simply an experience. Malle says, as noted in the booklet accompanying the Criterion edition " Each time something appeared that looked like a plotline, I would cross it out." This direction means that you are watching not so much a normal paced film but a series of events that the mind can interpret in a variety of ways, quite diversely I may add as the film is filled to the brim with symbolism. All this being said the film is wonderfully shot and handled with dedication and respect and is no doubt a Malle work. The supplementary features which are unfortunately quite short for a Criterion especially, add great insight into the film. Malle says that it is absurd to ask a director the meaning behind the piece and that cinema is the worst when it comes to the scrutiny people force upon the creators. He basically leaves it to the viewer to decide what it means for them, and that is perfectly stated and true. I can't recommend this for most, but if you are like me and appreciate the obscure and abstract it is one worth watching!
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
10/20/22
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Audience Member
I enjoy sci-fi and dystopia, but this movie was like an acid trip with no final destination. I did not find it entertaining. I Black Moon appeared to me to be just disjointed, nonsense.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
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Audience Member
While not a masterpiece, this is worth watching. It's totally nuts and will remind you of a dream. One scene with Lily & the Old Lady made me laugh out loud. I won't spoil it for you. You'll know it when you see it.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
Full Review
reuben m
I went into BLACK MOON knowing that it has been called Louis Malle's ALICE IN WONDERLAND. There's a lot to that, certainly. It is a surrealistic movie and as such, it makes no literal sense, really. Yet, as a human attuned to finding meanings (and plots) in stories (books, movies, TV, theater), watching a truly surrealistic film can be a big exercise in frustration, even knowing what you're in for.
The movie is set in a rural, likely European setting (it was filmed mostly in Malle's own country house in France) and there appears to be a war going on. In fact, it may literally be a war between men and women, as we see male soldiers executing only female prisoners, and later, women soldiers beating up a male soldier. In the midst of this, driving a beat-up car, is Lily, a 16 year old (or so) girl making her way across the countryside, dressed as if she's going to a study group or something, instead of traveling through a war torn landscape. She eventually arrives (after her car is ruined) at a run-down country estate that appears at first to be deserted. But, in fact, she has perhaps fallen down the rabbit hole.
The home is overrun with farm animals. It's also occupied by a old lady who can talk to rats, as well as a brother and sister who are both named Lily. Brother Lily speaks to our heroine Lily by touch, and Sister Lily essentially ignores our Lily. There is also a unicorn that talks via telepathy, and a group of young, naked, feral children who are either sheep-herders or perhaps part of the herd themselves. Things only get stranger from there. I won't try to describe much more, because there isn't a plot, per se. Lily moves sometimes passively, and sometimes aggressively, throughout the house and grounds, alternately interacting (or trying to) or watching the proceedings. She alternates between petulant, shrill, demanding, soothing, bemused and flabbergasted. Throughout all this there are plenty of images one might call sexual (snakes, unicorn horns, etc.), suggesting that this is some kind of "becoming aware of her sexuality" movie. (At times, I thought of the movie LABYRINTH, which one could argue is a young teen girls journey to adulthood via navigating through really strange goings on). But it also could be seen as exploring how nature and humanity are really all of a part. Pigs live in the house as comfortably as humans. Humans roam with the sheep and pigs as comfortably as if they were "simple" creatures. Towards the end, the brother and sister Lily (both adults and somewhat sensual themselves) engage in a vicious battle that eventually drives them, perhaps, to join the war. Does this mean that our harmony with nature is blown apart once sex and sexual awareness enters the picture. Who the heck knows?
If one watches the 100 minutes of this film trying to figure it out...I imagine you'll hate the film. It can't be figured out. I was not able to 100% stop trying to find meaning...and thus, I didn't love my experience of it. I would guess that being able to just accept what you're seeing without trying to dive into deeper meaning might mean you could really enjoy the film. Hard to say.
As with any surreal film, there are images that are humorous. Some that are beautiful. Some that are amazing. And some that are disquieting or even creepy. BLACK MOON has it's share, including some hard to watch imagery around breast-feeding (including, literally, the final moments of the film). Other viewers will find other moments more upsetting, I'm sure.
I could talk more about specific things that happen in the movie, but either you're going to watch it because you're intrigued (and my sharing more moments would be like sharing spoilers) or you'll read what I've written (and what others have written) and run away! If you're a big film buff, I say give it a whirl. It's particularly interesting if you like director Louis Malle, because the movie is quite a departure for him.
It's interesting, but admirable, that Criterion gave this movie the "Criterion Treatment." It is not considered one of Malle's great works. (Not that this is definitive, but amongst critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it only has a 50%, and audiences give it 53%. Some reviews I read were VERY scathing and dismissive.) But it also had not been seen much for a long time, so this is a great example of a "resurrection" by Criterion, something they do quite well. I'm glad they did, even if I didn't LOVE the film, I am quite glad I saw it.
The Criterion edition is a bit skimpy on extras, however, the 12 minute interview with Malle is ESSENTIAL. My appreciation of the film grew a great deal, even as my understanding didn't. (And you see scenes from the film that haven't been "fixed" by Criterion and you can really appreciate how lovely the restoration is.) The essay in the booklet is also quite helpful. But other than a trailer, that's all the bonus you get. I'd guess there just isn't much out there. BLACK MOON is a singular, perplexing work that still has its rewards.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
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Audience Member
Obvious links to Alice in Wonderland but Louis Malles film is a total head scratcher. That's not to say it's boring it's very weird and the soundtrack of amplified animal noises and a distant war between the sexes with screaming flowers and a talking unicorn . So there you are you will either hate it or love it but trust me you won't forget it
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/14/19
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Audience Member
Bizarre Louis Malle film, a riff on Alice in Wonderland. Certainly no classic but holds the interest due to its weirdness.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
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