Right, so here we ugly Americans go remaking another foreign film. Subtitles are apparently unpatriotic. Reading is for sissies. Kidding, kidding! Well, not about the remaking a foreign film thing. The latest is “Passion,” a remake of last year’s French film “Love Crime.” Both films feature two strong female leads playing off one another – a female executive and her seemingly naïve protégé. Both involve strong Sapphic (ugh, I know – that word) overtones which are played up in the trailer. But there is one very obvious difference, minus the language barrier, that leaps out immediately.
Whereas the French original “Love Crime” featured Kristin Scott Thomas and Ludivine Sagnier, the American remake “Passion” stars Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace. Now, I love all these actresses. I think they are tremendously talented. But let’s play a little game of which one of these is not like the other. First, watch both the trailers.
American Version
Pick up on the difference? No? Maybe some numbers will help.
Rachel McAdams is 33.
Noomi Rapace is 32.
Ludivine Sagnier is 33.
Kristin Scott Thomas is 52.
Bing-bing-bing! We have a winner! The older woman, younger woman dynamic has been eliminated in the American version. Instead it has been replaced by two younger women of the same age. Which, um, huh? Now, I have not seen this movie. I haven’t even seen the French version of the movie. But I know a large component of the French movie was the age difference and the intrinsic power struggle and dynamic it created. But now in the American version, the women only have their stations, not ages, to spar with. And that is just, well, less interesting. Why make the women so close in age? Why not have an older and a younger women face off together? Because it’s hotter when two younger women kiss? Because older women don’t exist in American cinema outside of maternal roles or lovelorn rom-coms? Ugh. Don’t get me started.
Look, “Passion” may be an excellent movie. I probably will see it because I have a fetish for freaky masked sex scenes. Kidding, kidding! But I am nonetheless annoyed that we had to go take out the old(er) lady and put in two younger hotties instead in the remake. Oh, America.
15 comments:
I did see Love Crime, and I really liked it. I don't remember it being lesbionic though. If they even kissed, I don't remember it. They both did have sex with the same guy though...But the age difference was an important component, I agree, and the speaking of the French, cuz, well, it's just sexy. Remakes are pretty much always a bust. [heh. bust.] I think I'll just watch Love Crime again...in protest.
not that i really care how old is rachel mcadams, but her year of birth has changed through the years from 1974,1976 and now 1978. i think someone really likes even numbers.kristin scott thomas is still very gorgeous at 52 and she speaks english.
clearly the most blatant difference is that the french version focuses on the thriller, and the american version focuses on the 'two-hot-women-making-out' factor. but no news there either.
I've seen the French version. It was very European in its ability to have a lot happen with few words and little visible action on-screen. My guess is the American version will rely on camp and the fact that men will want to see two it-girls making out.
I wish we'd do something original ever.
I think a mask is a sign of a loser-movie. Eyes Wide Shut is case example A. This movie looks like a total stinker.
Oh my, I'm mildly obsessed with Kristin Scott Thomas (and would like to affect her general look of disdain, which manages to be both her own and an homage to Lauren Bacall). And Love Crime is on Instant Watch on Netflix. Happysniffle...
That American movie doesn't have KST so y'all have fun.
Ludicine Sagnier is in a lesbian movie? Thank you, Snarker! What would I do without you?
I've had a thing for her since she sang "papa t'es plus dans l'coup" in 8 femmes, way back in 2002 (i think, too lazy to google it now)
Gotta go rent it now
I can't say why they chose to cast it this way; that being said, it appears that there is some kind of business/sexual related power struggle, which is very powerful amongst peers who feel in competition with one another. That may not be what the directors vision is, but I can see it.
My sentiments exactly...
I saw Love Crime, too, and it hardly had any lesbian-ness at all. It was erotic, and the younger character was completely obsessed with the older one, and the older one really enjoyed wielding her power over the younger one.
But the glaringly obvious main difference between Love Crime and this new American remake is that in Love Crime, the less-powerful woman wanted to BE the more-powerful one, but in the remake, it looks like she wants to be WITH her.
Kind of a huge difference in terms of the dynamic between them.
I think the age definitely plays a part in that, too.
Kristin Scott Thomas is a beautiful, sexy 52! And I'd happily trip the light fantastic with her over any of the other three. Stupid ageist Hollywood, tsk tsk, you don't know what you're missing!!!
PS, Stop with the remakes! Everything you remake, you turn to sh!t!!!
I saw Love Crime last year, and I can't see how the remake can work. The two women together was less about sex, and more about power and manipulation. Neither of those women are old enough to have the edge that Kristin Scott Thomas brought to that pairing. She was the best part of the film.
Yeah, Love Crime was so not a lesbian movie. I watched it because I've been in love with KST since forever, but people expecting even a kiss will be disappointed. It looks like the remake will be totally different.
I don't have a problem with remakes. I mean, as long as the movie's good, then it's just another good movie being made. Yes American remakes of foreign films are clearly a symptom of the American inability (or perceived inability)to get interested in something other than American. But like I said, as long as the movie is good, then I don't mind.
Having said that, it doesn't seem like the American version will hold up to the French movie. Love Crime, as others have pointed out, is not a lesbian movie at all. It's about power at work and in professional relationships. The attraction between the two women is there but more as a power dynamic. Oh and yeah, Kristin Scott Thomas is fucking amazing and gorgeous.
I think that the person who chose to remake this mistook the way in which the word 'love' was used in the movie. The movie meant more like 'own' than 'shag' when KST's character used the word 'love'.
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