Cate Blanchett as You’ve Never Seen Her Before
Matthew Curtis, Programing Director for the FFF describes Manifesto as a movie unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. He is exactly right.
It is not uncommon for people who are passionate about a given topic to write a manifesto. These documents reflect the convictions and beliefs of their authors. The better ones often become well known. Some even serve almost in the role of a recipe for social change.
Julian Rosenfeldt selected several such manifestos, primarily focusing on artistic writings, and created a film where one actor–the incomparable Cate Blanchette, assumes 13 different roles and recites these manifestos in character.
To further create visual stimulation, backdrops and sets are chosen to enhance the characterization and add body to the recitations of the manifestos. The result is that the written words tend to come alive giving even more weight to the idealism of the authors who wrote them.
If this sounds appealing to you, you will really enjoy this movie. If this sounds strange, dull or weird, you might just want to skip this one.
Within my family, Mrs. LanceAround was very moved by the recitations. I, on the other hand, have a more difficult time with auditory learning and, therefore, could not follow the writings with the same passion as my beloved spouse. I did thoroughly enjoy the fabulous cinematography and the creative costumes and set designs. I also loved some of the more whimsical presentations–like the mother who recited her manifesto as a solemn prayer prior to the family dinner while her husband and two bored children had to listen to her drone on and on.
This film was visionary, creative, beautifully acted and filled with powerful words. Don’t go looking for a brilliant story arc or even a sense of continuity. Just let each scene wash over you from a visual standpoint and touch you with an oratory of powerful thoughts and ideas and you will find this to be the most unique movie you’ve enjoyed in a long time.
Lance Around Orlando 
Leave a Reply