Total Eclipse (film)

:For other works by this name, see Total Eclipse.

Criticism

Director Holland has built a reputation of making films that are really good or bad. In this case, most critics felt that the latter was the case. The most common criticism was that the film never explained the importance of these two great poets' works, especially their role in the development of the decadence or symbolism movement. The film did little for character development aside from showing the two famous French poets acting as if they were modern American college students on spring break.

Related Topics:
Decadence - Symbolism - French - College - Spring break

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Critics also felt that the film the created a limited sense that of what life was like in late nineteenth century Europe. It ignores important parts of the two poets' history, before and after they met, and thus makes it even harder to understand why a film about their lives was made. Thus if you are not familiar with late nineteenth century French history, you are not going to understand or appreciate what is happening in the film.

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Critics did generally feel that the acting, musical score and cinematography were all well done, although some felt that DiCaprio played the character too closely to his role in the film Basketball Diaries. Gay film critics noted how the film allowed the two poets to come out of the closet and made a point to dealt with the gay and straight love scenes as if they were morally equal.

Related Topics:
Basketball Diaries - Gay - Come out

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