Film Review: Eldorado

The Verdict: 3 Bedpans

A man may not be of sound mind. He may say that he believes himself to be Jesus Christ. He may make such a claim under supposed penalty of death by lightning bolt sent from the Father...And when such sky fire strikes him not, has his claim been proven valid? Would this man be able to convince anyone of his allegation? Does he himself believe what his mouth speaks?

There're four shadows spoken of in Poe's Eldorado. The first is that in which the bold knight journeys. The second is that which falls over the knight's heart. The third is a pilgrim whom the knight meets. The fourth is part of a place's name, relayed to the knight by the pilgrim. The knight is searching for a legend. There's little chance he'll find it. Most legends aren't believed to be true. Shadows are nothing if not deceptive. Yet, the knight, who, in search of a legend, journeys in shadow, feels a shadow touch his heart, meets a shadow, decides a shadow is trustworthy, hears that he must 'ride, boldly ride' in his search for Eldorado.*

In 2008's Eldorado, painter turned filmmaker**, Bouli Lanner, rides boldly as he attempts to masquerade Belgiums' Wallonia as western America. The half-scraper featured was originally meant to be a Cadillac Eldorado. Fabrice Adde's would-be burglar asks the protagonist if the car is a Cadillac. He's told it's a '79 Chevy. It's also a station wagon...

But Eldorado, mostly, doesn't let the facts crimp its style. Lanner's character blasts American tunes by the likes of Devendra Banhart from the speakers of his American-made vehicle while traversing lonely backroads through sprawling landscapes. Lanner injects Eldorado with such a sense of the American Road Trip vibe that, if any fool were to watch it with dubbed English audio, they'd believe that the shadow Lanner presents is the truth. Bravo, man. This film is tickles with its longing and deception.

                                                                                                                     Rating Scale: 0-4 Bedpans

* The knight is promised nothing by his consultant, the shadow pilgrim. Readers can't be sure if the pilgrim shadow has ever reached Eldorado. He could be on the same journey as the knight. My guess is that the shadow pilgrim was once like the knight; he believed in the legend. He once sought the legend just as the knight does. His journey led him to various shadows and, soon enough, the pilgrim became such a shadow as he accepted the legend’s ambiguity. The advice given may be heeded as a general principle. Whatever is sought may as well be sought boldly, however daft the proposition.

** Other recently notable painters turned filmmakers include Julian Schnabel and Steve McQueen