Mars et Avril (2012)

Mars et Avril: Directed by Martin Villeneuve. With Jacques Languirand, Caroline Dhavernas, Paul Ahmarani, Robert Lepage. Based on an acclaimed graphic novel, Mars u0026 Avril is set in Montreal of the future, at the dawn of the first human landing on Mars, and tells the story of a musician who becomes obsessed with his muse.

“Perhaps my biggest problem with this movie were my high expectations due to a few reviews I read which highly appraised it. In my opinion the story, the core of which exhibits some potential, is its main flaw. Shallow, non-developing characters, missing plausibility, incoherent dialogs and confusing plots are disguised behind artsy (admittedly quite nice) sceneries, wonderful music and post-futuristic-combined-with-retro aesthetics. Which per se is not a problem, but it cannot substitute for the missing parts of the whole product. I understand that a low-budget sci-fi movie is a great challenge, but then again not every challenge must be taken. I have seen a fair amount of other low-budget sci-fi productions (e.g., from eastern Asia) with amazing performances, non-existing props, but excellent stories (notably with a philosophical extension). At least there the movie makers did not constantly flood the scenes with blue color, lit-up close-ups à la u0026quot;It is time for my close up mr DeMillu0026quot; and floor smoke like discos back in the 80u0026#39;s…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, it is a waste of time unless you happen to be a huge fan of the Flash-Gordon or u0026quot;a trip to the moonu0026quot;-by-Georges-Melies type of movies and if you donu0026#39;t care about script coherence. The generous four stars are just for the atmosphere and the music.”