Boléro

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Aviva R Certainly! Here's the English translation of your review: --- Boléro in the Cinema It’s safe to say that there's hardly a person in the modern world who doesn’t know Ravel’s Boléro. It is considered one of the most stirring and exhilarating compositions, with performances ranging from classical to the most modern. Anne Fontaine’s film, starring Raphaël Personnaz, presents us with a handsome and very talented Ravel, but also a troubled one—struggling to navigate life, creating with great difficulty, and a deeply lonely man. It is well known that Ravel indeed lived in solitude, without any significant relationships. The creative process behind Boléro is one of the film’s most fascinating aspects, and perhaps depicted more accurately than other areas of his life, where the director, Anne Fontaine, took considerable artistic license. In 1928, the dancer Ida Rubinstein—an infamous prima donna of Russian-Jewish origin, known for her scandalous lifestyle (she was bisexual) and her sensual art—commissioned the music for Boléro from Ravel. At that point, Ravel was not an unknown figure, having composed several major works, but he was still considered relatively marginal compared to Claude Debussy, who enjoyed the lion’s share of fame during that time. Ravel struggled greatly with inspiration and the creative process, but ultimately produced Boléro, which became one of the most beloved and recognizable pieces of music in the world. In the film, he is shown with a female companion—perhaps a suitor, maybe a lover—but it’s clear from the narrative that their relationship was platonic. Her brother was a close friend of Ravel, and she herself was married. Since her husband was constantly unfaithful, she sought affection and intimacy from Ravel. While she may have received emotional support, she did not get the romantic or physical relationship she desired. Ravel was emotionally dependent on her, perhaps even in love, but refused to be physically intimate. This is a fictional relationship that plays a major role in the film. No such connection is known to have existed in Ravel’s real life. The film also implies that Ravel was likely impotent, despite the sensual nature of some of his compositions. He is shown visiting brothels, socializing with prostitutes—particularly one—but never engaging in sexual relations, despite her repeated advances. This is one aspect of the complex Ravel. On other fronts, the film portrays him as a mentally fragile man who, in the very opening scene, is seen contemplating suicide after being denied an award he had hoped to receive. While the film may not be rich in historical accuracy, it is visually stunning. Photography enthusiasts will find that the film is worth seeing for its breathtaking cinematography alone. Particularly beautiful are the final scenes surrounding Ravel’s death, accompanied by his music—especially Boléro—which greatly enhances the aesthetic experience. Some have criticized the film for being too long. It’s possible that many viewers will not find it captivating throughout. However, music lovers—especially fans of classical music—will likely find it well worth watching for the soundtrack alone. And, as mentioned, photography aficionados will discover many frames wor Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/17/25 Full Review Oren K Ravel is one of my favorite composers, but this film never gets off the ground. It's too long, too slow, and the guy's expression basically never changes. You never really get to know him, his creative methods, or how Bolero was created. As the review in Variety says, "One moment, “Bolero” does not exist. The next, it simply does." There were fascinating people in Ravel's life - including several highly accomplished women - but they also get very superficial treatment. It's not a terrible movie, but it's hard to say it's a good one. It just doesn't do the topic justice. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/27/25 Full Review Regina K A beautiful view into the mind of a composer. ( I think the last part about his death, was a bit rushed.) Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/08/25 Full Review Giles D Highly recommended. But it's in French so you willl need subsitles. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Boléro

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