Just watched Afire, and the calibration of Leon's character traits and arc kept me from fully embracing it. Some critics are seeing more humor in Leon (although the character himself doesn't intend it, or "will not allow it", if you will), and I wish I did. Because, without that, the efforts of Nadja and Felix began to feel contrived -- …
Just watched Afire, and the calibration of Leon's character traits and arc kept me from fully embracing it. Some critics are seeing more humor in Leon (although the character himself doesn't intend it, or "will not allow it", if you will), and I wish I did. Because, without that, the efforts of Nadja and Felix began to feel contrived -- Leon is giving them nothing back. A reverse Homer Simpson out of the bushes and one wan smile at the very end just doesn't cut it. A shame, because otherwise I found it to be a charming Rohmer-ian hang.
Just watched Afire, and the calibration of Leon's character traits and arc kept me from fully embracing it. Some critics are seeing more humor in Leon (although the character himself doesn't intend it, or "will not allow it", if you will), and I wish I did. Because, without that, the efforts of Nadja and Felix began to feel contrived -- Leon is giving them nothing back. A reverse Homer Simpson out of the bushes and one wan smile at the very end just doesn't cut it. A shame, because otherwise I found it to be a charming Rohmer-ian hang.
Well I liked it more than both of you. There's a good interview with Petzold here:
https://mubi.com/en/notebook/posts/burning-down-the-house-christian-petzold-on-afire
You're spot on about the Rohmer influence!