Is Écrire Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1994)
When Duras saw 'La mort du jeune aviateur anglais', she told Benoît Jacquot that the film was about him, not her. "She treated me like a thief. So I offered to make another film, w...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Documentary cinema, then Écrire offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1994 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
📖 The Core Premise
With the release of Écrire (1994), audiences are invited back into the world of Documentary. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "When Duras saw 'La mort du jeune aviateur anglais', she told Benoît Jacquot that the film was about him, not her. "She treated me like a thief. So I offered to make another film, where she could say whatever she wanted about her life as a writer. That’s how we did Écrire. I brought the same film crew. We went to her house at Neauphle-le-Château and we set up in the room she called 'the music room,' where there was a piano and you could listen to records. She settled in and for two days of non-stop filming, she talked.""
🎬 Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Marguerite Duras's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is Écrire worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ultimately, Écrire is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities.
With a runtime of 44 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 0.7 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.