Written and directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix, co-written by Jean Van Hamme, Jules, a young Parisian postman, secretly records a concert performance given by the opera singer Cynthia Hawkins, whom he idolises. The following day, Jules runs into a woman who is being pursued by armed thugs. Before she is killed, the woman slips an audio cassette into his mail bag. Starring: Frédéric Andréi, Richard Bohringer, Roland Bertin, Wilhelmenia Fernandez, Thuy An Luu, Chantal Deruaz, Anny Romand, Dominique Pinon and Brigitte Lahaie.
As you enter the world of Diva, particularly with its new 4K restoration, you’re hit by its sheer elegance. It’s not opulent or overly glamorous and stylish, it’s refined and graceful, Jean-Jacques Beineix, along with cinematographer Philippe Rousselot, creates an aesthetic that allows for such a strong focus. Something that serves the film so well all throughout, helping to keep a sense of mystery and a huge dose of curiosity.
Curiosity is really the key word with Diva, Beineix’s work feels akin to David Lynch’s but in a less intensely obscure way. It holds a smoothly flowing atmosphere, one that can easily find its heightened moments and its peaceful ones while holding onto a beautifully cohesive progression. It’s suave and has an interesting sense of humour, it can be sporadic and artful, there’s a variety of tones, but they all work perfectly together.
Beineix also builds a great tension that runs solidly throughout Diva, the balance between wanting the answer to the mystery and simply enjoying the complex interactions and relationships between the character is right on the money. It’s grounded yet theatrical, there’s a pensive element to its atmosphere, one that comes with an impressive number of possibilities, never letting itself be predictable or stagnant.
A part of that is undoubtedly due to the excellent performances. Wilhelmenia Fernandez has such a seductive and sophisticated presence that she’s a joy to watch. The way that she can hold your attention so effortlessly is impressive. Frédéric Andréi gives the perfect performance to guide this story, he has that underdog feel, he’s hugely relatable and capable with a side of sweetness.
Thuy An Luu is a wonderful addition because she’s entirely unpredictable, she does a genuinely terrific job of capturing a persona which is not quite femme fatale but does make you aware she’s capable of anything. It’s a great cast on the whole but the cherry on top is Dominique Pinon who has such an entertaining, unique and physical presence.
Diva is such a suave, seductive and enthralling mystery, never losing itself in the enigma and taking the time to create fascinating characters. There’s an excellent cast, led superbly by Frédéric Andréi and complemented immensely by Wilhelmenia Fernandez. The 4K restoration work does a superb job of enhancing the grounded charm to the visual, it’s slick but effortless, it doesn’t leave reality for something more glamorous yet manages to instil itself with plenty of artistry. It’s already a classic in its own right but it does feel under-celebrated for its individuality and composure, so the new restoration is a perfect excuse to revisit it or watch for the first time.
FilmCarnage.com 