VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Alegria
QQQ 1/2
The international artistic performers of Cirque du Soleil have their fingers in a lot of pies these days. With permanent shows in Las Vegas, Biloxi and Orlando, as well as three touring shows - including their latest, Dralion, due in the Metroplex this fall - you'd think the Cirque folks would have their hands full.
But then you'd be forgetting what masterful jugglers they are. The troupe has also ventured into film with a large-format (i.e. Omnimax) picture in the works called Journey of Man as well as a little-seen festival favorite based on their 10th anniversary show, Alegria, which arrived on video and DVD this week.
Cirque fans will have some idea of what to expect, but interwoven between the typically impressive colorful costumes and astounding feats is a moving love story. Frac (Rene Bazinet) has lost his passion for life and art and decides to lie in the path of an approaching train. When he realizes he has unexpectedly been joined by his young friend Momo (Clipper Miano), a child of the streets, he must quickly save both their lives.
The train carries a traveling circus led by the enchanting Giulietta (Julie Cox), whose concern for Frac awakens love and a new zest for life in the lonely mime. But his affection for the girl does not go unnoticed by the troupe's ringleader, Fleur (Frank Langella), who has higher hopes for his daughter. Momo, meanwhile, is hurt by his friend's all-consuming passion. But he has other concerns, namely avoiding the clutches of a Dickensian villain called Marcello (Heathcote Williams), who enslaves young children in a dank workhouse, forcing the cuter ones to sell flowers on the streets.
Director Franco Dragone is certainly familiar with Cirque du Soleil -- he has been the creative soul of the organization since 1985, directing most of its live performances. His passion for the artistic vision of the troupe elevates the film far beyond mere documentation of a live performance (like last year's Quidam).
But Dragone could benefit from someone with a stronger grasp of story. Much of Alegria is, like Cirque's performances, ethereal and dreamlike. The characters need to feel more like people and less like beautiful puppets.
This will seem like needless nitpicking to Cirque devotees, who should be entranced from the get-go, Benoit Jutras' haunting melodies and songs will stick with viewers long after the tape has been rewound. Alegria is rated PG for adult subject matter and suggestions of child abuse.