The Stranger review – lustrously beautiful and superbly realised modern take on the Camus classic
François Ozon’s adaptation of the 1942 novella L’Etranger passionately honours the original text while bringing a contemporary perspective to its themes of empire and race A heatstricken reverie of violence and mystery unfolds in this film, a numb ecstasy of the inexplicable, as experienced by a sensitive white European under the unbearable noonday sun. Set in 1940s French Algeria (and filmed in Morocco), François Ozon’s lustrously beautiful and superbly realised monochrome version of Albert Camus’s novella L’Etranger has an almost supernaturally detailed sense of period and place. It amounts to a passionate act of ancestor worship in honour of a renowned French artwork, though by making changes that bring a contemporary perspective on the book’s themes of empire and race – changes that include a critique of the original text – this adaptation perhaps loses some of its source material’s brutal, heartless power and arguably some of the title’s meaning. An archive reel introduces us briskly to Algiers and its casbah, with a hint of Julien Duvivier’s Pépé Le Moko; then we are shown our antihero Meursault, remanded there on trial for the capital crime of murder, played with many an unreadable moue of listless unconcern by Benjamin Voisin. Flashbacks show us his dull office job in Algiers, where he turns down a promotion and transfer to Paris, one of his many shrugging gestures of indifference to his own interests. Continue reading...
François Ozon’s adaptation of Albert Camus’s 1942 novella L’Etranger is a visually stunning and thought-provoking modern take on the classic. Set in the 1940s French Algeria, the film captures the heat and tension of the time with a meticulous attention to detail. Filmed in Morocco, Ozon’s monochrome adaptation brings the story to life with a sense of period and place that is almost supernatural. The film pays homage to Camus’s original work while offering a contemporary perspective on its themes of empire, race, and identity.
The story follows Meursault, a sensitive white European, as he navigates the unbearable noonday sun of Algiers. The film is a heatstricken reverie of violence and mystery, exploring the inexplicable experiences of its protagonist. Meursault, played by Benjamin Voisin, is a complex character whose indifference to his own life and the world around him is both intriguing and unsettling. His unreadable facial expressions and shrugging gestures of disinterest highlight the emotional detachment that defines him.
Ozon’s adaptation opens with an archive reel that introduces viewers to the vibrant yet dangerous world of Algiers and its casbah. This opening scene echoes the style of Julien Duvivier’s Pépé Le Moko, setting the stage for a story that is both timeless and relevant. The film then shifts to Meursault’s trial for the murder of a man named Arab. Flashbacks reveal his mundane office job in Algiers, where he turns down a promotion and transfer to Paris, further emphasizing his lack of connection to his surroundings.
While Ozon’s adaptation honors the original text, it also critiques it by introducing contemporary themes. This modern perspective on the book’s themes of empire and race adds depth to the story, offering a fresh interpretation of Camus’s work. However, some argue that these changes may have diluted the original novella’s brutal, heartless power and the title’s meaning. Despite this, the film remains a passionate act of ancestor worship, celebrating the renowned French artwork while reimagining it for a new generation of viewers.
The film’s monochrome visual style is a testament to Ozon’s skill as a director. The stark black-and-white cinematography enhances the atmosphere of the story, creating a sense of timelessness that is both haunting and beautiful. The film’s attention to detail in recreating the 1940s Algerian setting is impressive, transporting the audience to a world that is both foreign and familiar.
In conclusion, François Ozon’s adaptation of L’Etranger is a visually stunning and thought-provoking modern take on a classic. While it pays homage to Camus’s original work, it also offers a contemporary perspective on its themes of empire and race. The film’s meticulous attention to detail and monochrome aesthetic create a world that is both haunting and beautiful. Benjamin Voisin’s performance as Meursault is unforgettable, capturing the character’s emotional detachment and complexity. Ozon’s adaptation is a celebration of the original novella while reimagining it for a new audience, making it a must-watch for fans of both Camus and contemporary cinema.
