They Came Back

[Zero]

Ok - what if the french made a zombie film - well, THEY DID! Its called Les Revenants - and the english title is They Came Back.

And, to be honest, while most might hate it like George W hates those cheese-eating-surrender-monkeys - I actually think that, taken on its own merits, its quite interesting.

Robin Campille directs this film about the dead returning to life - not all the dead mind you, only some and the phenomena of their rising lasts only a few hours. 70 Million in total return.

But, here's the twist, they don't come back all gross and decomposing - but in fairly full and fit health (indeed, the scenes with them streaming out of the cemetary is more poetry than gore - with white luminescent lighting and gray tones in the streets. In fact, they come back fully closed and just wandering - a bit confused but none the worse for wear.

And, of course, the biggest twist, they aren't back to consume flesh or eat brains - they dont' really seem to know what they want other than to return to something like their normal lives. Of course, life has moved on for most people and the grieving families have to deal with their returned loved one. The tragic part is that these returnees aren't quite up to speed - they are slow, and mainly follow the patterns of their own lives.

In many ways, the film is a poetic meditation on the notions of loss and grieving and the way society treats those who don't quite fit in. Of course, by the end we realize that the returnees aren't any happier with their situation than are the living and that leads to the film's eventual conclusion, which while not entirely satisfying adds to the film's overall tone.

So, I'd say watch this one with some philosopher friends, a couple of bottles of red wine, and a bunch of unfiltered cigarettes (berets might help as well).

vive la zombie

[zomb5150]

I actually have this one coming from blockbuster, can't wait to check it out.:D

[Zero]

Cool - post your thoughts - its definitely different than the usual horror.com fare.