0 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Wednesday, October 19, 2011- 7A The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Wednesday, October19, 2011 - 7A M83 finds out every dream needs an end "Get off of that piano and go make me some crumpets." Sister' not just sidekick By SEAN CZARNECKI DailyArts Writer Beyond the regular costume drama, "Mozart's Sister" is a thought-provoking exploration of angst and the pain of silence. *** We like to think that that no Mozart'S one - not even Sister our loved ones - can keep Atthe us from our Michigan dreams, but this isn't usually the Music Box case. Yet when director Rene Fdret ("The Mys- tery of Alexina") starts rolling his film's credits, he assures us that we hadn't conformed because we were cowards. He assures us that we are no different from Maria Anna "Nannerl" Mozart, sister of the legendary Wolfgang Mozart. While the film is centered on the titular Nannerl (Marie Feret, "Il a Suffi Que Maman S'en Aille..."), a would-be musi- cal prodigy, and her search for self-realization as she squirms in the constraints that bind her, it sheds light on others as well. Her love interest, Louis de France (newcomer Clovis Fouin), fears he may become his own debauch- ery-loving father, and Louis's sis- ter Louise (Lisa Faret, "Il a Suffi Que Maman S'en Aille..."), has been isolated in an abbey away from her own family, where she befriends the young female prod- igy Nannerl. They each live under a shadow whose shade they can- not escape. But "Mozart's Sister" never portrays conformity as single- faceted. For instance, Nannerl forsakes her own talent to devote hersel genius era's sc but als he en Nanne of the royal a his fat used t, ful - in the ration her fat dience "Moza film w that co f to her family and brother's acters through the creaky rooms , not only because of the and carriages only to feel like ocial standards for women, they're being led on an aimless o out of love. As for Louis, chase, without direction or drive. ds his relationship with There are other times when the rl, both under the pressure drama of the film swells, tying expectations for him as a together all the loose ends, and nd his fear of livingthe life could've simply ended. That said, her led. And Louise - who "Mozart's Sister" is a character o be mischievous and play- study that has no intention of assumes a life of discipline being fast-paced or kinetic. abbey because of her ado- In a twist of irony, the actresses for the word of God and who played Nannerl and Louise, :her's demand for her obe- characters pushed downthepaths . As is evident here, to call their parents chose for them, are rt's Sister" just a feminist Ffret's daughters. Odd - but it ould rob it of the subplots serves as another testament of the mplete it. depths of "Mozart's Sister." The film moves beyond the usual com- ing-of-age tropes rife in the genre. le talent Wvas Its attention is drawn toward the reasons for the characters' silence etic, but the and those who speak above them. As is shown in this film, genius is ime wasn't neither unleashed by passion, nor is it extinguished by cowardice alone. But by circumstance, it can either be bolstered to greatness or 6 Fdret allows his story muted to oblivion. By ANDREW ECKHOUS For the Daily It's a pretty safe bet that if "The Neverending Story" were made into an album, it would sound some- thing like , M83's Hurry Up, We're M83 Dreaming. Like a children's Hurry Up, acid trip of a We're movie, M83's Dreaming newest release is an ode to Mote childhood innocence, dreams and the trib- ulations of growing up - and just as "neverending." The successes on Hurry Up are triumphant. "Intro" slowly morphs into an epiphany replete with reverb-y choir, emphat- ic drums and energetic bells. "Midnight City," the first single, lays intoxicatingly danceable yelps over fuzzy, flowingsynthe- sizer and throws in a surprising- ly effective '80s-style saxophone solo. Interspersed throughout are atmospheric instrumentals such as "Where the Boats Go" and "Train to Pluton," which transport listeners from mood to mood without seeming forced. However, for all the impres- sive mood-setting and power- ful drum and synthesizer lines, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming sinks under the weight of its own expectations. But Hurry Up fails precise- ly because it is too ambitious. French-born Anthony Gonzalez - the lone member of M83 - has crafted a gargantuan double album spanning over 70 minutes that is at times an otherworldly masterpiece. However, Gon- zalez seems to repeat himself on multiple occasions, spoiling the lush, ambient rock that has been M83's trademark for over a decade. By no means does Gonza- lez fail completely; in fact, the music is transcendent in many instances. The album's expan- siveness lends to Gonzalez's sur- real, celestial atmosphere and is derive. pains. At needed his life ern Fr drama some a Nation ple ti pa templa his od one is dream a kid,; he told Hur indeed dream of 198 except is a re 'when the m d from his own growing "Midnight City" is a fantastic and exciting track, but when 30, Gonzalez decided he there are two other songs that d a colossal change in sound a little too similar ("Clau- e and moved from south- dia Lewis," "Steve McQueen"), it ance to Los Angeles. The makes for a repetitive listening tic shake-up, along with experience. lone time in Joshua Tree Gonzalez believes the two al Park, inspired the con- sides of the album act as "sib- lings," but they sound a little more like twins, which is unsur- Double the prising when considering the lack of diversity in the produc- asur, do ble tion process. Gonzalez acted as asure, double sole songwriter, musician and he fun' oniy producer behind Hurry Up, and it's evident. The first seven songs rtly applies. are original, emotional and memorable, but 13 of the next 15 are alternate versions of the same tune. tive musician to record A double album should be a e to dreams: "How every journey full of stylistic twists different, (and) how you and turns'- otherwise, it differently when you're becomes stale. While Hurry Up, a teenager, or an adult," as We're Dreaming is a compelling Spin Magazine. journey in some sense, there is ry Up, We're Dreaming is not enough substance to justify about dreaming, but the 73 minutes of music. No one is is a polarizing tableau questioning M83's ability to gen- 0s synthpop. With few erate mammoth soundscapes, as ions, the entire album Gonzalez's body of work speaks minder of what happens for itself. But next time, cut out an artist's vision clouds half so that the "neverending" usical sensibilities. Sure, story can end. Th gei fi Ren to grow organically, branch- ing off to reveal the characters' innermost selves. Enough screen time is lent to each of the char- acters for their stories to build, but never does it nauseate the audience with over-sweetened romance or schmaltz. While his subtle and car- ing touch is a welcome sight, Feret should realize that it's a film - a motion picture - not a fragile painting from the period he portrays. Films are meant to entertain, not simply to look at, and while the story shouldn't be manhandled, it'd be better if it was at least pushed along. There are moments when the audience is following the char- Approximately 40percent of every incoming PharmD class consists of former LSA students. CHECK OUT THE BEST AND WORST OF ANN ARBOR FASHION WEEK ONLINE AT michigandaily.com/blogs/The Fashion Voyeur So. You want none good reason to earn a pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan? Here are 12 good reasons, for starters: 1. Financial support unequalled by any other U.S. pharmacy school. 2. Outstanding pay. 3. Job security in economically uncertain times. 4. Unlimited opportunities to improve people's lives. 5. Unparalleled career choices. 6. Continuous growth potential. 7. Life and career mobility. 8. The power to apply medical knowledge at the forefront of technological innovation. 9. Membership in an influential alumni network spanning the globe. 10. The prestige of owning a degree from one of America's top-ranked pharmacy schools. 11. One-to-one learning with world-renowned faculty. 12. A small college environment within a major, academic institution, Choosing the right career requires equal parts knowl- edge, insight, and planning. If you are weighing your career options, please be sure to attend one of the pre-pharmacy counseling sessions listed below. To learn more about Michigan's PharmD Program, visit the College Web site at www.umich.edu/-pharmacy. Or contact the U-M College of Pharmacy at 734-764- 7312 or at mich.pharm.admissions@umich.edu. Pre-Pharmacy Sessions at the U-M College of Pharmacy: Academic Year 2011-2012: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 - 4-5 pm, Pharmacy Building, Room 1019 Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 - 4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Monday, Nov. 21, 2411 - 4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 - 4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 - 4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 -4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2012 - 4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Friday, Apr. 6, 2012 - 4-5 pm, C.C. Little Building, Room 1567 Information Session: Wednesday, Oct. 19th at 6:30 pm International Center, Room 9 t fLike us on Facebookformore info and a full list of campus events: facebook.com/UMPeaceCorps 800.424.8580 . peacecorps.gov Your future never looked brighter. _j _