BERLINALE 2020 - Jumbo
70th BERLINALE FILM FESTIVALZoé Wittock's Jumbo is a weird and zany drama with a poignant and touching subtext that examines possession and sexual attraction.
Wittock has crafted an often touching and beautiful coming of age drama. The conventional tale is turned on its head, producing a far more profound and stranger twist on the classic in terms of sexual exploration. Jumbo becomes a unique and individual story.
By virtue, writer-director, Wittock can push the envelope to a distinct and engaging degree. By re-examining and revitalising this tale, Wittock gives new precedent and weight for the audience to be utterly transfixed.
The performance from leading actress, Noémie Merlant is undeniably elevated by such a wonderfully brash screenplay and narrative from Wittock. What Merlant presents here is remarkable in terms of emotional range and layers. These are crafted in an often dark but stimulating role that highlights themes of loneliness and desire, to name but a few.
Considering Merlant does not work alongside a co-star – who could have occupied the sexual tension – , but is rather involved in a romantic relationship with an object, the performance and filmmaking should be highlighted ten-fold. Wittock's curation of the male gaze is revamped and evolved to the point where it is not only refreshing to watch but delightfully invigorating.
The way Wittock and her team – including cinematographer, Thomas Buelens and production designer, William Abello – build this idyllic and tense relationship is dazzling. Especially regarding the lighting which intertwines warmth and romance.
Jumbo is a beautifully layered, entertaining and profound reinvention of the wheel. Containing a powerful subtext and an equally impressive leading performance from Noémie Merlant, Wittock's film is bizarrely restraint yet thematically brash. It is effective and inviting.
