Beau travail (1998)

[Capo]

Beau travail
Good Work
Claire Denis 1998 France

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An officer in the Foreign Legion becomes jealous when a subordinate wins the affection of a superior.

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A quiet and disquieting character study, with minimal dialogue and a gloomy, existential voice-over told in present tense (as if from a diary) but dictated over images in a somewhat retrospective fashion - somehow what we're watching has already happened, and so the narrative unfolds in a remorseful, frank manner which garners much gravity in its final moments. Its undercurrent of jealousy and homosexuality is subtle and haunting, injected gradually through the inertia and daily routine of army life... it's a focused, confident film requiring patience, with its just rewards. Masterful in its thematic handling and evocation of place and community. Effortless.

[svsg]

I didn't know what the title meant until I read the english title in the above review. Not that it mattered any way, but I didn't know what the movie was about before watching it. I am surprised you didn't mention anything about the music. To me that is the most obvious distinctive aspect about the film. The crescendos in music don't correspond to any narrative peaks, but perhaps match the inner tension and turmoil of the main character. Lots of male bodies on display... many shots of choreographed action where the camera shows only the bare shoulders of men... not surprising that the director is a woman. Beautiful movie, but somewhat unsatisfactory as a whole.

[Capo]

Reading my review again, I'm surprised myself that I didn't mention the music.