Vicky Krieps has proven since her breakout in Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread that she has incredible screen presence and versatility. She is soon to be seen as Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the acclaimed Corsage but alongside that she has starred in the lowkey meditative More Than Ever. More Than Ever focuses on a young woman Hélène, living in Bordeaux who has a lung condition. Opposite Krieps is Gaspard Ulliel in his final role as, Hélène's partner Mathieu who is trying to support her through her illness. More Than Ever is directed by Emily Atef and premiered to great acclaim at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section.
The initial segment of the film is about the couple adapting to the condition and looking for solutions which fail to present themselves leading to soul searching and questions on how long she has left. Here the film shifts gear as Hélène goes online to search for people with similar experiences and encounters a Norwegian man named Mister. His world view and attitude to illness stirs something in her and she decides to travel to Saeno, Norway to visit him.
This shift in tone and location and at times language as we move between English and French, allows the gorgeous vistas to help brighten the film's mood, providing a sense of optimism opening up new avenues for Hélène as she goes on mountain hikes and makes the most of her location. It also raises some intriguing questions of mortality and the nature of life and earth.The shift in location allows Hélène to choose to go out on her own terms and embrace nature and life in her closing moments.
The landscape of Norway is a true marvel to behold in the film, wonderfully contrasting the urban life the pair had been living and showing the insular nature of their existence.
Vicky Krieps is naturally wonderful in the lead role showing a vulnerability we've not seen as much of in her past roles and her tremendous screen presence and ability to flit between genres, this is a far cry from her work in Bergman Island or Phantom Thread and she is a true joy to watch on screen, bringing a sense of vulnerability but also a want to make the most of what time she has left.
Ulliel, largely playing second fiddle to Krieps is restrained, perhaps in his acceptance of the situation but shares fine chemistry with Krieps and it is a crying shame this is his final performance. Bjørn Floberg contrasts the pair as Mister, bringing a new sense of optimism and opportunity, not quite what his online profile suggested, meditative and helping to guide Hélène. Admittedly the part is perhaps not as well sketched out as the central pair but he is an important facet in the film's journey.
More Than Ever's strength beyond the performances is the sharpness of its writing and its subtle approach to heavy subjects and questions of mortality and the importance of our daily lives. It's a film that may well make audiences reappraise their own lives and want to get in touch with nature. It's a visually impressive film that shows a director who knows how to pack a punch without going overboard or making the film's messages less impactful. The performances elevate the film and really show Vicky Krieps star power, wonderfully offsetting her role in Corsage. While not the most uplifting of subject matters More Than Ever does carry a message of hope and optimism and is a quietly beautiful meditative film that is worthy of the praise it has earned on the festival circuit.
More Than Ever screened at BFI London Film Festival 2022
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