I saw the Clouds of Sils Maria on May 14, 2015!! This was a really interesting movie focusing on theater reflecting real life. The performances were strong. I liked watching how real life mirrored the characters and events of the play. The themes of age, maturity, celebrity, and combating obsolescence were evident throughout the movie.
In some ways, this could be considered a female version of Birdman. However, Clouds of Sils Maria stands on its own and presents a great movie laden with strong dialogue & impressive female performances. While in Birdman, you saw Michael Keaton's character trying to distance himself from the character that made him famous, you see Juliette Binoche's character, Maria Enders, returning to the play that made her famous. The only difference is she will now be playing the older character, as opposed to the younger character that launched her to fame 20 years ago.
This movie looks at the older actress: Maria Enders, her assistant, Valentine, and the young, rising actress with the paparazzi constantly looming around her: Joann Ellis. Binoche did a wonderful job showing her frustrations with playing Helena, the older character, which is really her frustrations as getting older. She shared many scenes with Kristen Stewart. I've always been a big fan of Stewart, and in my opinion, this could be her best performance. She deserves praise for the work she did here. She's received the Cesar Award (France's version of the Oscars) for her work in this movie. I've enjoyed her work over the years, but the last two years have resulted in some of her best performances. Stewart had remarkable chemistry with Binoche. She displayed a great deal of maturity in the Valentine role. I thought it was interesting seeing how Binoche's Maria Enders character actually was more immature than the younger Valentine. I also thought her praise of Joann Ellis mirrored Stewart's early career work with the Twilight series. She discussed how there's more to Ellis than you think, much like we're seeing with Stewart. As great as Binoche is in this, Stewart is right there with her performing at a high level. Great work from these two who created the life and vitality of the movie. The movie showed a deep friendship/relationship that easily mirrored the characters in Majora Snake between Maria & Valentine. I thought it was really well done.
Chloe Grace Moretz's performance as the young rising actress was excellent. In this role, she showed how some of the younger Hollywood starlets can be rebellious & make tabloids for the wrong reason. I also thought at the same time it was taking a shot at the paparazzi who pine for the moment when the young "it" performer falls. Moretz's montage of negative headlines was intriguing. I also enjoyed her Forbidden Planet movie scenes that Maria & Valentine bickered over in detail. Moretz did a wonderful job playing that young actress that is eager to work with the veteran actress to present a special play. At the same time, you get the entitled attitude, and fake personality that some of the younger actors/actresses have. Moretz did well shaping Joann Ellis. She hit all the caricatures of a young Hollywood actress so well. The triple threat of Binoche, Stewart, and Moretz was truly special. The scene at the round table in Sils Maria was one of my personal favorites. You get interaction with all three as well as a great look into each of their personalities.
I give this a movie a 4/5 for excellent performances by Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, and Chloe Grace Moretz, a great story of life imitating art, and excellent dialogue.
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