David Fincher is not just one of the most demanding filmmakers in Hollywood, but he’s also one of the best. A proven cinephile, he is, according to some people, uncompromising when it comes to judging films.
However, a French film released last year blew him away. And that film is Albert Serra’s brilliant “Pacifiction.”
The film has this incredible performance from Benoît Magimel, who won the lead actor César for this film, the second in two years and the third of his career.
Magimel says he had dinner with Brad Pitt and Fincher, among others, also present at the Cesar ceremony, and they shared their absolute love for “Pacification”:
Brad Pitt told me 'David Fincher is pretty tough. In twenty years, I must have seen him about five times happy to see a film. Meaning he doesn't like anything. He said to me: 'this guy doesn't like anything, but Pacifiction, he loved it'.
Magimel did not add what Fincher specifically liked about the film, but stressed that the filmmaker, like Pitt, had a rare "elegance" and "kindness" and that "like all greats, they are simple!"
Film journalist Alberto Lechugo further adds: “
“Fincher asked to see all the César nominees for Best Film, the only one he liked (a lot) was Serra's and he commented that Magimel's performance was one of the best he'd ever seen. Brad Pitt joked that he had never said anything like that to him”.
In my review, dated 02.12.23, I wrote that “Pacifiction” already belongs with this year’s best films. It’s a total hypnotic scorcher:
“To describe the plot of “Pacifiction” is nearly impossible. It has something to do with a top ranking French official (an incredible Benoit Magimel) in the Polynesian Islands, the High Commissioner of the Republic. Very strange things start to happen to him, all seemingly revolving around rumors of the French conducting nuclear testing near the island.”
“Will the masses love “Pacifiction”? Of course not. It’s a slow-as-molasses 165-minute statement from Serra whose not in uncharted territory here. After all, this is the director behind “The Death of Louis XI,” and “Liberte,” two impenetrable, but painterly statements.”
“There are transfixing moments in “Pacifiction,” most beyond explanation — but absolutely hypnotize your attention. Particularly in the last quarter, which reminded of an extended version of the club scene in Lynch’s own “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.”
“In the end, everyone’s isolated, wondering what’s going on, are we on the brink of a nuclear catastrophe? Or have our fears been manipulated for the sake of government propaganda? Whether Serra intended it or not, his strange film has now become incredibly relevant.”
As expected, Snyder's latest is being torn apart by TIFF attendees. No mercy given. The film, which had its world premiere this evening, is being called by some one of the worst movies to ever premiere at the festival.