Lullaby For Pi (7.5/10)

"Lullaby For Pi" is crafted with wise hands. Director Benoit Philippon has an eye for style and he's found his. His film looks like it's cut straight from the pages of an old pulp magazine or jazz album cover. The sets are golden brown and have certain intoxicating aura to them. The music of course is jazz with a hint of the blues is just velvet to the ears. Everyone smokes and drinks as if they've never left the 1940's. The movie has gloomy flare to it that some will love. I sure did so that's why when the scenes of other nature were present I lost some interest. A film doesn't need two styles of different levels.

Sam (Rupert Friend) sits in hotel room alone. He comes here to think and escape for a bit. While watching "Some Like It Hot", in comes ironically named Josephine (Sarah Wayne Callies). She has the key to his room in an odd mixup. The surprise and hostility ceases and they watch the rest of the movie together. They get married and let's flash forward about two years. Josephine has been dead for nearly a year and Sam is still taking it hard. He drinks and smokes more and has given up singing (he frequents a jazz bar). He returns to the hotel room at the beginning hoping for some sign of her. He has wild fantasies that she'll come back, call or maybe he'll realize he has to move on. Well another woman running into his room and locking herself in the bathroom was something he didn't expect. Her name is Pi (the radiant beauty known as Clemence Poesy) and she's trying to escape her boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend). Sam is calm and kind and tries to talk to her. Pi doesn't want to come out but doesn't want to be left alone. Sam returns to the hotel room several times and Pi does too. The repeat this situation as we learn more about the mysterious Pi.

What we have here is a classic and cool romance for artsy types. Not like "The Tree Of Life" or anything but those wanting romance but with the style of Mad Men. The romance is fine and so is the acting. It's just nothing we haven't seen before. Also Sam's friend William (Matt Ward) is unnecessary. Not the character itself but his own personal story. Him bringing Sam to a rap battle is too odd in a movie that had such a strong jazzy style. It's kind to the eye and mind and worth the watch in the end.

7.5/10
Recommendation: Like jazz? Like romance? Like the actors? then you have your next film to watch.