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Quickie Review - Ida (The Best Movie of the Year)

Ida is as close to perfection as I've seen in a while. I'd argue that Argo was perfect, in that it held a balance between drama, comedy and realism, while never entering a superfluous scene. At 80 minutes, Ida might have succeeded in bettering it. Ida leaves the viewer with choices, but is clear in it's intent. The story is the short journey of two women, very different in every way and the path it leads them to, by defining them, to nobody other than themselves. What's even more important to note, is their tale is the secondary story. The real story is the story of Poland as it overcame the war and tried to crawl out of Stalin's communism. The symbolism isn't overdone and the dialogue is sparse. The black and white monochrome filter, lends to the dreary time as well as to the mood of the film and the season, in it's look and it's symbolism plays its own role.

The fact the lead is a first time actress shows to some, but not to me. I found her vulnerability a charm and an asset. I found her somewhat wooden posture a positive, especially when next to her flamboyant in comparison co-star. The film is is powerful in the emotions it will bring out and for those connected in any way to the Holocaust, it might be troubling. This is not to say it is a Holocaust movie, but the atrocities play a part in the growth of the characters and obviously has historic significance, beyond explanation in Poland.

I believe that these types of movies come around very infrequently. The last movie that moved me in such a way, was another done in black and white and that was The Artist. That did, for personal reasons where as this film did so from a philosophical view. I immediately tried to find out more about the time in Poland to gain a better understanding. I think, if not tonight, I will watch it tomorrow or over the weekend. Definitely need to see it again, to watch more closely for anything missed the first time. I can't endorse this film enough.

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