Carmen

A lone flamenco dancer stands on a wooden stage in the middle of a Mexican desert. Her rhythmic stamping and clapping are a thunderous roar of defiance as she stands her ground against cartel soldiers. This visually arresting image with a tinge of Lynchian surrealism is the strong opening scene from choreographer-turned-director Benjamin Millepied’s Carmen, a modern reimagining of Bizet’s opera of the same name.

The dancer is the mother of the eponymous Carmen (Melissa Barrera), who flees north of the border soon after to journey to Los Angeles. During the border crossing a violent incident sees her join forces with ex-marine Aidan (Paul Mescal). A romance blossoms between the pair, with their passions etched out in grand dance routines set to an even grander score by Nicholas Britell. The visuals are dizzying, with Barrera and Mescal giving solid performances. However, the fires of this romance burn out fast, leaving a largely forgettable interpretation of the classic tale.

Millepied’s vision of Carmen is one that’s bursting with vibrancy. Much of the cinematography is punctuated with eye-catching colours that give the rural setting a dreamlike sensation. This aesthetic is only reinforced with surreal imagery and entrancing dance routines, which make for stunning viewing. Just as compelling as the visuals are the performances from the leads, with Mescal being a particular standout. Their easy-going and natural onscreen presence serves to keep the characters relatable to audiences, even during the most bizarre sequences.

However, the film starts to lose steam when the pair arrive at their destination. The love story listlessly marches on until it reaches a jarring climax that holds too few stakes. The sights and sounds continue to be wondrous, but with the spark that ignited their journey gone, the empty void left in its place remains noticeably unfilled.

While Carmen contains another endearing turn from Mescal, alongside a tremendous score from Britell, it’s disappointing that Millepied was unable to sustain the momentum of his feature debut to the end.

Andrew Murray

Carmen is released in select cinemas on 2^nd June 2023.

Watch the trailer for Carmen here: