Personal Shopper [DVD]

The trailer made me curious, so I watched the film, and am so glad I did. This is my first ever Kristen Stewart film, and now I am totally hooked. The film is light on dialogue, but this suits her style of acting perfectly. Because she is so skilled, she can convey thoughts and emotions so effectively through her physicality, that dialogue would almost limit her range rather than extend it. The boundaries between Kristen Stewart and Maureen are hard to find, but that works well. The ghostly effects are powerful, but definitely not "Hollywood blockbuster style", so anyone wanting that type of film will be disappointed. The film has a naturalistic, understated style, which is more usually found in European films, so it will not appeal to all, and this may account for the negative reviews by some. I love it and will be watching more of Kristen Stewart's films, and also those by Olivier Assayas.

I love Miss Stewart and her work and I always will. She doesn't get enough credit for her acting. She never disappoints even if the film it's self doesn't leap out at me. Talking Charlie's Angels with that comment. I only have that film because of Kristen. This one is completely different in tone though. No wokeness in sight here thankfully. If you love Kristen's work check this out. If you don't, you probably won't find anything of interest.

This is a fairly unsettling, creepy psychological thriller that is carried very ably by Kristen Stuart, as Maureen, the “Personal Shopper” of the title.Part ghost-story, it delivers some different and unexpected elements to the genre; it has a rather Arthouse presentation to it (aided by the evocative choice of early music for some scenes) and it raises the notion of Theosophy as a background to the supernatural elements in the proceedings.It is a quite mesmerising film with some deep ideas and issues underlying it – it requires watching more than once.A fine and interesting film, intelligent, engaging and possibly one of Stuart`s best performances to date.Certainly recommended.The UK DVD release is a bit bare-bones; no extras other than a trailer, there are audio descriptive English subtitles which may require adjustments to your screen for viewing.

I order these films as part of the selection process for the annual programme of Harrogate Film Society. The basic test is whether or not the film is chosen for the programme that runs from September to April each season. The criteria is based on the opinion of up to 4 of the 1 Society's committee members who are required to view the film.The film was considered to be average and was not chosen for the programme.

Really enjoyed this film, but please don't be expecting a fashion house drama. This is an original and interesting idea, with an unsettling and odd tone. Kristen Stewart is absolutely excellent as the heart and soul of everything that happens - and I must admit I have never really rated her as an actress before this film. The ending is ambiguous but very clever and one of the best conclusions I've seen to a film for a long time. Loved it! "Or is it just me?" 😉

Sadly this is not a very good film. It lacks any kind of conviction - as a ghost story, a thriller or anything else. Kristen Stewart (as Maureen) is supposed to be a personal shopper to a very rich lady who spends her days flitting around the world. Maureen is psychic and obsessed with her brother who died of a heart condition that she also suffers from (one of many plot strands that doesn't go anywhere). Trying to make contact with him she spends nights in his deserted house.The problem is that the house isn't particularly spooky (and I'm easily spooked!). Eventually something does happen, but it's about as disturbing as a ride on a fairground ghost train. A big part of the problem is that the film never seems to make up its mind where it stands in relation to the paranormal strand of the story. We're supposed to experience this ambiguity as complexity but it just feels muddled and unsatisfying.The thriller strand of the story is even less satisfying. It's obvious who the mysterious text messages are coming from the minute they start. The event that happens when Maureen returns to her employer's flat is probably the only surprise of the film, but what follows afterwards is completely predictable. The film is also very slow (something i generally like) and padded out with lots of waffling and psychobabble.Really the only saving grace is Kristen Stewart herself. As an actor she may be a bit limited in emotional range but being the star of a film is about more than just acting. Stewart is cooler than cool, sexily androgynous.Mind you, the film milks this shamelessly. Maureen goes to the doctor's for a heart check up which requires her to strip completely naked to the waist. She tries on her employer's high fashion clothes, undressing to do so - all part of the 'erotic of the forbidden' strand that the film goes for along with ghost story and thriller.Again, this is never really developed or even thought out. Why is it such a daring thing to try on the clothes? We're told that the employer has forbidden her but realistically how would she ever find out? There's some vague stuff thrown in about Maureen wanting to be someone other than herself but like everything else in this film it goes nowhere.And finally, the ending. You get the feeling that the writer gave up any kind of climax to the plot as unachievable, so thought: we'll go for something that makes no sense at all. Hopefully they'll think it's clever.

A single viewing was not enough so I just had to get my hands on this DVD (although now Criterion will be releasing it on blu-ray in November...arrgghh) The many ways to interpret the storyline coupled by powerhouse acting (Kirsten yeahhh) simply made this one of my favourite films of 2017. (that is until Atomic Blonde got released..haha)

A brilliant ghost story and an intelligent and thoughtful film. Watch it without reading any plot spoilers. This way you can let your mind piece together the story and meaning without being led by muppets on Rotten Tomatoes!And a warning, it is scary...and unlike other ghost films, the main character is looking for a spirit and not running from it. A nice subversion.