Skip to footer

'Something in the Air' shows that revolutionaries like comforts as much as the ruling class

( Unrated ) ( Monitor Movie Guide )

'Something' shows director Olivier Assayas's sympathy with the movie's would-be revolutionary.

|
Courtesy of MK2 Productions
'Something in the Air' is directed by Olivier Assayas.
  • By Peter Rainer Film critic

Olivier Assayas’s “Something in the Air” is set in 1971, three years after the barricade-busting student-led political riots in suburban Paris. Gilles (Clément Métayer) is 17 – the same age Assayas was at that time – and the film benefits from the director’s deep-held simpatico with this would-be revolutionary. Gilles’s eventual retreat, with his firebrand girlfriend (Lola Créton), to a life of summer bohemianism in an Italian villa is both ironic and welcome.

Assayas doesn’t bring out the fiery best in this material, but he’s smart enough to know that revolutionaries like their comforts as much as the ruling class does. Grade: B (Unrated.)

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
The Christian Science Monitor was founded in 1908 to lift the standard of journalism and uplift humanity. We aim to “speak the truth in love.” Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions. Join us in this mission by subscribing.
Subscribe
QR Code to 'Something in the Air' shows that revolutionaries like comforts as much as the ruling class
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2013/0503/Something-in-the-Air-shows-that-revolutionaries-like-comforts-as-much-as-the-ruling-class
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe