The Double Life of Veronique (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

I've read through most of the reviews on this page. The majority of the Amazon reviewers pretty much gave a detailed and thorough summary and review of "The Double Life of Veronique", so I don't need to be redundant or rehash what these reviewers have written. The main reason why I'm writing is because I feel that Krzysztof Kieslowski was one of the most important, talented, deep, creative, artistic, soul-searching director geniuses of all time. If I had to travel back in time, I would want to meet and have conversations with Krzysztof Kieslowski, President Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, etc. Kieslowski's films have made a major impact on my life. His films have always brought great comfort to me because he felt things so deeply and saw symbolism in a lot of things like I do. In my humble opinion, the best films in the world are the kinds that make you feel deeply emotional from beginning to end and that make you think days, weeks, months, years after the movie ends. "The Double Life of Veronique" was released in the U.S. in late 1991 when I was a freshman at an undergraduate university. I have seen artistic and thought-provoking films such as the films I saw when I took a Soviet Cinema class in college and viewed movies such as Mikhail Kalatozov's "The Cranes are Flying", Andrei Tarkovsky's "Solaris", "Stalker", and "Andrei Rublev", Sergei Eisentein's "Battleship Potemkin", and Sergei Parajanov's "The Color of Pomegranates". From that Soviet Cinema class, my favorite was Sergei Parajanov's "The Color of Pomegranates". Parajanov's film was an extraordinarily different and artistic cinematic experience. You have to feel, think, and see the symbolism in Parajanov's films. And I once had a boyfriend who said he didn't get it and said he was bored with "The Color of Pomegranates", even though I was the opposite, and thought it was a surreal experience to watch the film. You can't have a short attention span when you watch films like this. I like films that have symbolism and that make you pay attention to details from beginning to end. And you need to pay attention from beginning to end with Krzysztof Kieslowski's films. Kieslowski is my favorite director of all time because he uses every element to make you feel haunting, deep, intense emotions. I've never seen a director incorporate light, symbolism, music, objects like he does. I really do believe that this man is the most clever director. Everything means something when you watch his films. My sister and I love watching his work. "The Double Life of Veronique" impacted me so much that I bought the star rubber ball that Irene Jacob uses in the film when I was in college. Who knew that you can view the world in a different way with a star rubber ball? Who knew that Veronique would see the same buildings that Weronika saw through her star rubber ball? I can't repeat how genius Kieslowski was! It's like he thought about every scene and every prop and object he used, yet it looks so effortless at the same time. I've never seen a director put so much thought into things yet made it look so easy and like it was meant to be. After watching "The Double of Veronique" or any of Kieslowski's films, you'll never look at children's books, shoelaces, cigar boxes, cassette tapes, puppets, ring, old people walking on the street carrying bags or recycling stuff, flashes of light, or music in the same way. For anyone who has the Zodiac sign of the Gemini like me, "The Double Life of Veronique" holds special meaning. I relate to both the Polish Weronika and the French Veronique. There's a weak, fragile side to me and a stronger side to me. Right now, I'm going through some health problems, so I'm experiencing the Polish Weronika side now. Weird as it sounds, I've always felt that there was somebody else, another part of me, that was stronger and had more luck health-wise on the other side of this Earth. Even though it's tragic what happened to Weronika, her life being cut short with her heart problems, the other "twin", Veronique goes to check her heart problems in the Cardiology Department. While Weronika works hard and realizes she is suffering from heart problems she continues to sing until she dies unexpectedly while Veronique seems to sense something and uses caution and says she no longer wants to sing. The scene where Veronique stretches the shoelace on top of her ECG/EKG (heart rate) page was genius. That one scene was "symbolic" of the tie she had with Weronika - Weronika's heart failed, while Veronique's didn't. Some people have luck on their side, and some people don't. And this film perfectly illustrates that. This film provides much comfort to me because it's like Kieslowski is telling us that we all are going to die whether young or old. We see the young Weronika die, and we see the old person walking on the street (In my opinion, Kieslowski's awareness of death approaching). In summary, we need to come to terms with the luck of the draw and the fate that has been handed to us. And that even though you have died (the Polish Weronika), a part of you (the French Veronique) lives on and the world goes on. It's because of Kieslowski that I have come to terms with some of the bad luck that happened to me at a young age which affected my health. Kieslowski's films have taught me to learn to have more peace in my life and to not fear the bad things in life. Kieslowski's films have truly taught me to not fear death and mortality. Yes, that's how amazing and important Krzysztof Kieslowski was. Irene Jacob does an excellent job in this film playing the dual roles. And Zbigniew Preisner does an amazing job with the music as usual. I love how Kieslowski has worked with Irene Jacob and Zbigniew Preisner in more than film. It shows how loyal and trusting he was. I truly believe this world would be a much better place if more people watched Kieslowski's "Three Colors Trilogy", "The Decalogue" series, and "The Double Life of Veronique". I can't repeat enough how genius and awesome Kiewslowski was! If my memory is correct, when I saw the movie "Blue", Juliette Binoche's character moves out of the house, and carries a box that is holding the blue glass ceiling fixture from her daughter's room, and the box says "Blanco", meaning the color "White", which was the next film in the trilogy. In the movie "Red", the old, retired judge lives alone and made the wrong romantic choice when he was younger. The young judge in the movie is going on the same path as the old judge by falling for the wrong woman and fate intervenes and he is with the right woman, Irene Jacob. The old, retired judge then finds some peace seeing the young judge with the right woman. In a way, you can find parallels in "Red" and "The Double Life of Veronique". Life didn't turn out perfect for Weronika or the old, retired judge, but there is peace found when better luck and better choices are made from Veronique and the young judge's side. In a way, you feel complete when you watch Kieslowski's films. He shows you what it's like on both sides of the spectrum. He shows you what it looks like to take one path and what it looks like to take the other path. Anyways, I strongly and highly recommend "The Double Life of Veronique" and any film that Krzysztof Kieslowski has ever made. I really mean it when I say that you're really missing out if you haven't watched or bought one Krzysztof Kieslowski film. I have truly become a better human being knowing that Kieslowski had true empathy and understanding about humanity and the true, deep, important meaning of life. For instance in "Red", the young, Irene Jacob, works in the end harmoniously with the old, Jean-Louis Trintignant. You see Irene Jacob help an old person recycle in "Red". In a way, Kieslowski was sending the message that both the old and the young can help and learn from each other. And I feel that many people will truly become enlightened human beings after watching any of Kieslowski's films.

Kieslowski's The Double Life of Veronique is a unique film that's quite difficult to explain if you haven't see it. The story follows two women: polish singer Weronika and french teacher Veronique. While both don't know about the existence of the other, they share a mystical connection that's reinforced by the use of colors, filters and music. Both women are played by Irene Jacob which is superb in the dual role. Contrary of what the title suggests, this is not a mystery thriller about the women finding each other. No, this film is about loss, liberty, freedom, duality, love, destiny and more. Kieslowski shows us a surreal connection that are reinforced by beautiful shots. This film is more about feeling than understanding. When you watch it, you experience a diverse of emotions even if you don't quite understand what's going on. Never has been a film like this one before or after and only reinforces the fact that Kieslowski was truly a unique director. Veronique is a beautiful, superb film. A classic.Video & AudioVeronique comes to BD courtesy of Criterion and as you might expect, the results are superb. The image is immaculate boasting well defined colors, strong contrast and amazing detail. There are no signs of damage, artifacting or any other compression issues. A spectacular transfer.Likewise, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA is pretty strong with no signs of hiss or damage. Dialogue and music is always clear and directionality is well done. A great audio presentation.Bonus FeaturesVeronique comes with a great assortment of bonus features:First you have an interesting audio commentary by Annete Insdorf which is an expert on Kieslowski.Then you have four short films: The Musicians, Factory, Hospital and Railway Station. The first one was directed by Kieslowski's teacher and the other three were done by Kieslowski himself. They are very special treat and should not be missed.Then you have Dialogue with Kieslowski which is a long interview with the director that is mixed with behind the scenes footage from Veronique. Another must see!!Then you have an interesting documentary about Kieslowski's early years and how he became the famous director he is now.Then you have three great interviews: one with cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, the other with composer Zbigniew Presiner and the last one with actress Irene Jacob.Also you have the US ending wich is a little longer but doest not add much to the film.A booklet is also included which includes an essay by scholar Jonathan Rommey and a long interview with Kieslowski about the making of the film. It's a must read and helps you understand better the movie.Closing ThoughtsThe Double Life of Veronique is undoubtebly a modern classic and a must see for everyone. This BD set is amazing boating truly amazing video and audio and offering a lot of quality of bonus material. This set comes Highly Recommended!!!

The Double Life of Veronique (1991) is in the traditional Kieslowski mold of symbolism, mystery, irony, and artful imagery. This film could pass for a thinly-veiled sci-fi labeling. What I love about this film is its willingness to be something strange and surreal, while maintaining its elegance and believability overall. With artful classical numbers, coupled with an unusual color tint to the settings, the film is slow, subtle, yet powerful. Some of the musical numbers are extremely powerful in their presence and and impact. In some ways, the film is haunting in its tone. Irene Jacob is perfect in her role, as she exhibits emotion extremely well, and the audience is with her. While watching this film, one gets the sense that they're trying to solve a riddle by asking what certain things mean, whether they're objects, images, or even the strangely-tinted colors throughout. Overall, this is an enjoyable film that's a table setter for Kieslowski's next work, the brilliant Three Colors trilogy (Blue, White, & Red). This blu ray is an excellent transfer from The Criterion Collection, with a clear picture and crisp sound. The special features are good, and I also enjoyed the 40-page color booklet included with the blu ray. Overall, an awesome Criterion release!