"Total Eclipse" (1995)

Leonardo DiCaprio plays sixteen year old rambunctiously self assured poet Arthur Rimbaud, who engages in a forbidden romance with his mentor, another older poet, Paul Verlaine (played by David Thewlis). They soon make a deal to “elope” together, leaving Paul’s younger wife with their recently born child. However, while they enjoy their capriciously free lifestyle initially, things begin to go amiss…

Um…I remember I went into this film with more expectations than were met. The trailer appealed to me because they were both writers and to be fair they do cme out with some very thought provoking and likeable lines from their poetry…But I was widely misguided… It’s…a very unique film. I did not care for the characters. I can no longer look at Lupin in Harry Potter in the same way again, since watching David Thewless as the character of Paul. He is portrayed as the most pathetic, horrible person and I found him so aggrivating to watch! (This is not a critism of David Thewlis, he’s very good) I felt so sorry for Paul's wife (played by Dominique Blanc), he treated her horribly. He had considerably violent outbursts at times. One minute he was enthralled with their new baby, then the next he’d thrown the bassinet to the side, baby still inside, crying. I found that scene quite horrifying actually. Leonardo DiCaprio was fantastic, but he was about the only good thing in this movie. His character is frankly not a very nice person. I’ve often wondered what it was that drew him to do this film. I guess the character would be kind of interesting to try and understand…He does seem to have a unique perception of the world around him. I do like some of the lines he comes out with for his poetry.

So…on that note, I will finish by saying, no, I don’t think this is a film I’d recommend rushing out see. But if you're a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio like me...knock yourself out! :)

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