by Siena Richardson
Slapstick fantasy, crime caper, and romantic comedy come together in the charming French film, “The Fairy.”
A Cannes Film Festival selection, “The Fairy” centers on Dom, who works the night shift at a hotel desk. When a young woman named Fiona comes in one night to rent a room, claiming to be a fairy and offering Dom three wishes, romance is sparked and their adventure together begins. Dom’s unimaginative first two wishes are for a scooter, and unlimited free gas, and, with those satisfied, he struggles endlessly to think of a third one. Yet, the once dull Dom, who spends the first fifteen minutes of the film trying desperately just to eat a sandwich and watch a movie alone, ends up skinny dipping and dancing in the ocean, sneaking Fiona out of a mental hospital, and running from the police, to mention only a few of their antics.
The film is written, directed by, and stars Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, and Bruno Romy. The talent of these three artists is abundantly apparent throughout this film. From sharp comic timing, to (particularly Abel’s and Gordon’s) dancer-like physical expressiveness, to the clarity of vision throughout “The Fairy,” this collaboration is highly successful.
On first impression, this film could be perplexing. Nothing about it lives in the realm of reality, so those looking for realism may want to pass this one up. On most other counts, however, it is lovely. Visually, it is simply stunning. Almost every shot is tinged in watercolor from sunsets on the beach, or on the hotel roof, giving the dreamlike tone of the film beautiful visual representation. The cinematography, by Claire Childeric and Jean-Christophe Leforestier, is exquisite. The slapstick physical comedy that persists throughout the film is executed masterfully. From delightfully silly and passionate dance numbers, to a tug of war that leaves everyone flat on their faces, to a character delivering a baby by herself on a roof ledge, each shot is taken to an extreme. Every silly moment is stretched, every green-screen shot of the characters falling, flying, or underwater is held just a moment longer than necessary.
Yet something about this is what makes the film work. Ultimately, “The Fairy” centers on a few simple, kind, completely insane characters that find one another in this fantastical universe, and just try to hold on for dear life. We’re not being asked to believe it, any of it. We’re being asked to willingly come along for the ride. And believe me, it’s a fun one.
