'The Immigrant'

A movie review, from Betsy Sharkey, at the Los Angeles Times, "Intensely moving 'Immigrant' leaves viewers unsettled":

Though its story is far more about survival than love, there is a sense of seduction in director James Gray's new film, a wolf in sheep's clothing quality. Not unlike Bruno Weiss, the dandy who trolls Ellis Island for pretty girls in bad straits played so well by Phoenix.

Cotillard's Ewa Cybulska is one of those weary and desperate beauties, a world away from her edgy portrayal of Edith Piaf in 2007's "La Vie en Rose," which would win her an Oscar. Ewa and her sister, Belva (Dagmara Dominczyk), are just off the boat, still awaiting clearance to enter the country. It's a compelling opening scene, the endless lines, the empty faces, so many fates hanging in the balance, and opportunists like Bruno moving through the sea of humanity like sharks.

The sepia-saturated scene immediately evokes that vast influx of refugees in the '20s and '30s. The period detail achieved by production designer Happy Massee, costume designer Patricia Norris, and captured so beautifully by cinematographer Darius Khondji is outstanding. Composer Chris Spelman adds a bluesy jazz-age sound that is terrific — weeping when it needs to, carefree when that's called for later...

I love movies like this, the deep periodization especially.

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