Providence

Matthew Martens

John Gielgud's all-too-gradually dying novelist, a self-described former revolutionary turned monster of ego, has a searing pain flashing right up his ass. Inaccessible to alcoholic succor (despite his persistent application of heroic doses), the pain keeps him up at night, a demonic muse spurring the composition of one last novel, a convoluted contortion of his family's history into rebarbative, devolutionary farce.

Sudipto Basu

I need to revisit this once again just to re-construct the real narrative, if there is one, but this is so much fun.

V.S. Luoma-aho

Resnais pulling a Resnais, nihil sub sole novum here. Not on par with his greatest work, but not bad, either. I pondered about giving it 4 stars, but was actually a bit bored here and there, so I judge it a tad overlong & kind of redundant once you acknowledge how the aesthetic structure works. But nice juxtapositions here and there & some great dialogue with a brilliant, brilliant cast.

FISCHER

Une pure merveille cinématographique, d'une rigoureuse construction associative entre gravité et cohérence, imaginaire et réalisme qui enchante l'âme et la pensée... www.cinefiches.com

Lars Åndheim

*** 1/2 Two intentions and voices that never emulsify—oil and vinegar, brass and velvet, British and French, Apollo and Dionysos. Still fascinating.

Marc St-Cyr (Death cinéphilia)

5 stars for the cinematography, but the story is too busy for me.

Cinema Omnivore

my first Renais' encounter, a 6/10, my review: http://lasttimeisawdotcom.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/last-film-i-saw-providence/

Richmond Hill

Inscrutable games from Resnais; hit and miss as a result. It's redeemed by the solid ensemble performances.