The Fairy (FRENCH DVD REVIEW)

 

The Fairy

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Ethereal Escapist Fantasy from France Arrives on DVD

            Every now and then, a cinematic masterpiece comes along that’s impossible to pigeonhole. Case in point, The Fairy, a genre-blending adventure that’s part romantic romp, part escapist fantasy, part slapstick comedy, and part song-and-dance musical. 

            At the picture’s point of departure, we find hotel clerk Dom (Dominique Abel) being drenched by a driving rain as he rides his unreliable bicycle to work. After arriving late, he changes into dry clothes and fixes himself something to eat before checking-in a couple of eccentric guests at the desk.

            The first, a foreigner (Philippe Martz), is hiding a dog in his suitcase, since pets aren’t allowed on the premises. The second, an attractive woman without any luggage (Tilda Swinton look-a-like Fiona Gordon), claims to be a fairy and offers Dom three wishes.

            He’s so skeptical that he initially ignores the generous overture, only to watch her magically ride a broken elevator up to her room. His curiosity is finally piqued later that evening when Fiona miraculously appears in the nick of time to save his life when he’s choking on a sandwich.

            Suddenly a believer, Dom then asks his Heimlich-performing benefactor for a motor scooter to replace his rickety bike and for free gasoline. And he subsequently awakens to find his first wish granted, but the mysterious Fiona has also vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the cryptic message “Meet Me at the Love Is Blurred” scrawled in lipstick on a mirror.

And the relentless search is on!

            So unfolds The Fairy, the latest collaboration courtesy of the writing/directing/acting triumvirate of Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy (The Iceberg). This go-round, the talented tandem has spun a thoroughly-entertaining, latter-day fable for the young at heart that’s every bit as silly and surreal as it is cerebral and sophisticated.

            Far be it from this critic to spoil this delightful tour de force’s totally unpredictable goings-on any further. Suffice to say that the flick is an engaging treat undoubtedly best appreciated by folks unaware of what might be coming next. 

Excellent (4 stars)

Unrated

In French with subtitles.

Running time: 94 minutes

Distributor: Kino Lorber Films

DVD Extras: Theatrical trailer and a stills gallery.

To see a trailer for The Fairy, visit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA2dGqu5cmc