Diva (1981)

The first time I watched this film was with my mum (a languages teacher) and I'm so glad she was there because without her I probably wouldn't have understood any of the movie. When I watched it for the second time on my own I understood a lot better. The reason I was confused is because there was loads of different plots entwined together throughout the whole film.

This beautiful motion picture began with Jules, a young postman, making his way to the opera house where Cynthia Hawkins, famous Diva, was going to perform. Jules gets there and settles down in his seat and then the music starts and he starts to record it. Diva's performance is so enchanting and spine-tingling it is just amazing! After the performance, Jules goes to get his program signed and then does something he shouldn't have. The story of Jules and Cynthia Hawkins carries on throughout the film as their friendship grows. Meanwhile there are other things happening, there are 2 sets of bad-guys both after Jules' tape, and a quite ineffective police force trying to unearth the truth about a mysterious drug/prostitute ring. These stories all weave their way between each other throughout the film and by the end they are somewhat solved.

This film contains some really powerful, stunning music that adds perfectly to the beauty of the film. There are some moments when you will be on the edge of your seat with worry, and others when you will just feel so happy for the characters.

Jules' two quirky friends, Gorodish and Alba, who live in the old factory are really great characters and stick by Jules till the end even though he only meets them at the beginning of the film.

I really recommend this film, but it's probably better for older FilmClub members just because the plot is so complex and the subtitles are quite hard to follow.