Mubi Monday: The Piano Accident (2025)

A new film from writer-director Quentin Dupieux is always a reason to celebrate, as far as I'm concerned. His films aren't for everyone, but he consistently delivers weird brilliance for those who know what they're letting themselves in for.

While far from his best work, The Piano Accident is a VERY dark comedy that makes some obvious comments on modern life, social media, and the lengths that people will go to for their fifteen minutes of fame. The brilliant Adèle Exarchopoulos plays the main character, Magalie, a young woman who has become famous for videos that have her harming herself in a variety of painful stunts. Something has happened to force her into a temporary respite though. She only has the company of her assistant, Patrick (Jérôme Commandeur), but is approached/blackmailed by Simone (Sandrine Kiberlain), a woman who wants to conduct an interview that she hopes will somehow shed some light on exactly why Magalie does what she does.

Drawing a clear through line from the "MTV generation" to the voracious content consumers of today, as well as showing how we live in a state of wanting to please others from time spent seeking approval and attention from parents, Dupieux makes his feelings obvious about what many may class as entertainment. He has no love for the numbing effect of social media, and tries to offer up a warning to those who may find themselves chasing more and more extreme ways to temporarily satisfy an appetite in a mass audience that will just keep getting hungrier and hungrier while they know that the world is one internet connection away from catering to their needs.

Exarchopoulos, awkward and unhappy throughout, is fine in the lead role, although it feels more defined by the brace her character wears throughout and her nonchalant attitude to her self-mutilation. This isn't her at her best, perhaps just a bit too confined by how unwittingly trapped her character has become. Commandeur is enjoyable in his supporting role, but Kiberlain gets the best moments, forcing our lead to really reflect on what she is aiming to achieve with her actions.

It may say as much about Dupieux as it does about what he's being critical of, and some will view this as nothing more than an old man yelling at clouds, but The Piano Accident is certainly made more uncomfortable to watch because of knowing that it feels pretty accurate. There have been a number of other films made about the impact of social media since we started to really become embroiled in it, one or two better than this, but this feels like a desperate warning, probably far too late, to those who think they can grab their slice of fame and fortune by simply acting like an idiot on camera for a few seconds at a time.

7/10

If you have enjoyed this, or any other, review on the blog then do consider the following ways to show your appreciation. A subscription/follow costs nothing.
It also costs nothing to like/subscribe to the YouTube channel attached to the podcast I am part of - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCErkxBO0xds5qd_rhjFgDmA
Or you may have a couple of quid to throw at me, in Ko-fi form - https://ko-fi.com/kevinmatthews
Or Amazon is nice at this time of year - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/Y1ZUCB13HLJD?ref_=wl_share 

Mubi Monday: Playground (2021)

A feature debut from writer-director Laura Wandel that is, quite frankly, extraordinary, as well as extraordinarily powerful, Playground puts viewers back in the world of the school playground, hence the title, and serves as a reminder of just how cruel children can be, and what a minefield needs to be navigated while attempting to simply survive your days that people will ignorantly try to refer to as "the best years of your life".

Nora (Maya Vanderbeque) and Abel (Günter Duret) are siblings starting their school year. Nora is very nervous, but her brother tries to reassure her. Going through a number of childish trials and tests, Nora eventually settles in to a position that might allow her to get through her school year relatively unscathed. Unfortunately, Abel becomes a victim of bullying. Nora thinks telling someone about it might help, but it instead starts a downward spiral for Abel, who starts to gain a reputation that he cannot easily shake off.

With the child-height camerawork throughout and the natural performances from all of the cast members, Playground is an immersive experience, for better or for worse. Would I be exaggerating if I said that a number of scenes in this film had me tense and angry, remembering back to schooldays of my own that I view with nothing but resentment and anger? No. This is a film that will affect many viewers in a similar way, and anyone who thinks it is a bit far-fetched, or showing things in a more grim manner to manipulate viewers, has clearly been fortunate enough to have a school experience far removed from mine.

Vanderbeque and Duret both give quietly devastating performances, although they're helped by Wandel placing them in situations that immediately make them seem more vulnerable as she keeps the camera trained on their discomfort and pain. Karim Leklou is their father, often only visible in shot as he leans down towards his children, and Laura Verlinden is a teacher who seems a bit more aware and sympathetic than a number of her colleagues, but they don't make as much of an impact as so many others onscreen, children that we hear and often only glimpse at the edge of the frame. There are one or two characters who are involved in some important moments, but the camera is almost constantly locked on Nora, showing us what she sees as she becomes aware of it.

Masterfully put together, in terms of the visuals and the sound design, Playground shows that Wandel is a major force to be reckoned with, and no small amount of praise should go to everyone behind the camera who helped her to realise her vision. I'll look forward to whatever she does next, and I'll also be interested to see if Vanderbeque decides to take on some more film roles after making such a strong first impression here.

9/10

If you have enjoyed this, or any other, review on the blog then do consider the following ways to show your appreciation. A subscription/follow costs nothing.
It also costs nothing to like/subscribe to the YouTube channel attached to the podcast I am part of - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCErkxBO0xds5qd_rhjFgDmA
Or you may have a couple of quid to throw at me, in Ko-fi form - https://ko-fi.com/kevinmatthews