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Filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski left the world shortly after making the masterpiece Three Colors trilogy (BLUE, WHITE, and
RED). But before he made that wonderful series of films which introduced me to the filmmaker through VHS at the local video
store, he made another equally visually and emotional film called THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VENRONIQUE which I bought the Criterion
DVD over a decade ago at the a wonderful bookstore called Borders (which sadly went out of business in 2011 due to a variety
of bad business decisions). Now I get to revisit that film on 4K in a very high bit-rate disc that runs between 90 to 100
MBps plus you also have a region free blu-ray. The reversible case art and slip cover are beautifully designed. If you're
looking to own the movie in 4K ultra Blu-ray now, you can do so white Criterion takes their sweet time scheduling the 4K disc
to their collection which will include the same artwork and features as their DVD and blu-ray. The only difference between
the Cruzon release and the Criterion release in extras is a couple of interviews recorded for Criterion and an essay book.
THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE follows the parallel lives of two women who look alike named Weronika and Veronique (both
played by Irene Jacob). Their paths only cross once without one knowing until later. The story starts with Weronika before
switching to Veronique's story. They both have dreams and both fall in love even though Veronique's love story is a little
creepy and how the children books author is obsessed with her (she even receives mysterious packages). The women are like
twins separated and yet they feel each other. It is like they don't feel whole and each of the women search for meaning
in their lives. Weronika has a boyfriend and takes a chance on being a singer despite the risks to her health. Veronique
feels she must change her life and give up on her musical dreams. Their lives are two paths and each path represents a different
path for each woman who are alike and yet different. If this was a Hollywood movie, you would have he two women meet more
directly and it would be more around how they are intertwined. THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE takes a different path in telling
a story of visuals and emotions without concerning itself with a standard narrative. This movie and The THREE COLORS trilogy
are like that and that is the beauty of Kieslowski's movies.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
CONVERSATION WITH KIESLOWSKI- archival interview with the director from the 1990s
INTERVIEW WITH IRENE JACOB from a few years ago as she talks about her career briefly and how she same to be in the movie
(as she also discusses scenes shot for the movie that aren't in the final cut and I wish those deleted scenes could have been
included with the blu-ray)
Documentary on KIESLOWSKI- FILMAMKER that traces the history of Polish cinema after World War 2 under the rule of Communism
and how that influenced the films of Krzysztof Kieslowski
Four short films (three by Kieslowski and one by his mentor): THE MUSICIANS (1958), FACTORY, (1971). HOSPITAL (1977),
and RAILWAY STATION (1980)
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONQIUE is a beautiful visual masterpiece and the movie says so much with the characters
and visuals. It is a beautiful 4K disc from Cruzon and I wonder how long it will take Criterion to put this out on 4K in
the states, bit the release also does create a region free blu-ray too.
This review is ©6-1-2023 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
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