Renoir and RA. An exquisite, remarkable film based on the last years of his life living with RA. Hugely recommend watching this film.

[Jaxine]

A huge recommendation to watch this film. Set in the south of France during world war 1 it depicts Renior s last year of his life living with RA. It is in French with English subtitles but this only enhances and brings life to this film. What s remarkable is whilst this disease caused him debilitating pain and in a wheelchair it was obvious that his passion and love for painting kept him living for so long. It s unbelievable that Renior lived until he was 78 in an era where there was no treatment for this condition. Such a beautiful film and such a courageous man who never allowed his RA to define him and his extraordinary talent for painting. It forced me to be appreciate and respect modern medicine for treating RA., but more importantly that life is precious and we should not hold ourselves back but embrace life and to continue to flourish with our talents and skills.

[helixhelix]

Oh dear....I hated it. I saw it many years back now, and thought it sickly sweet and saccharine. Just a series of vacuous images of people in the sunshine, particularly semi naked women. Women were not portrayed well.

Which does not take away from the effort he made to keep painting, and his struggle with RA. There are a number of remarkable artists who have/had RA.

My feeling is that it’s a pretty film, but not much more than that.

[Jaxine in reply to helixhelix]

Oh!! Yes there is some nudity but not offensive. I loved the film, I found it pertinent with regards to his courage in battling with the disease. But of course I'm sure it wont be to everyone's taste!

[helixhelix in reply to Jaxine]

I wasn’t offended by the nudity I just thought it completely trite.. his life was quite remarkable, and I found the film turned it into a soft soap version. It was 1915 after all.

But each to their own of course, there will be films I love that you find hideous!! It’s just if people are expecting a serious examination of his life and work this isn’t it. Just a pretty story with a happy’ish ending.

[Jaxine in reply to helixhelix]

I think my main point was that he continued to paint throughout the many challenges he experienced with this chronic disease and without any drugs to control it. What films would you recommend out of interest?

[helixhelix in reply to Jaxine]

I tend to watch art house films, so ones that sticks in my mind are My Sweet Pepper Land by Huner Saleem, and the Separation by Asghar Farhadi.

But wouldn’t going to see a film again be fun! Haven’t been to the cinema since last summer...

[Jaxine in reply to helixhelix]

Thank Helix I like arthouse movies too I have many genres but I would say one of my favourites films is 'The Pianist' real life, moving, with substance, thought provoking ..... I will def give your film choices ago.

[helixhelix in reply to Jaxine]

The pianist was my sort of film 🙂

Another film that sheds light on RA is La Vie en Rose. If you watch it knowing Edith Piaf had RA lots of things make more sense...like the addiction to alcohol and morphine.

[Jaxine in reply to helixhelix]

Fab! I've just watched the trailer I'm going to watch this eve, if hubster not keen I will resume tomorrow and watch on my own! Thanks for that Helix I'll let you know my critique tomorrow.

[LoneEra in reply to helixhelix]

I’m intrigued to see it now just to find out how sickly sweet it is 🤣

[helixhelix in reply to LoneEra]

😁

[Jaxine in reply to LoneEra]

I didn't see it as ' sickly sweet' at all, quite the contrary, but as helix stated everyone to their own!

[Potatos]

Where can this be watched?

[Jaxine in reply to Potatos]

Hi there, it s on Amazon Prime.

[Boxerlady]

What's the title please? Is it "Renoir" made in 2013? Just checking as the trailer says that it's a love story about his son 🤔

[Jaxine in reply to Boxerlady]

Just "Renoir" yes you're right, the model who poses for him falls in love with his son but it s very much about Renoir and his battles with his disease and his determination to carry on painting.

[Boxerlady in reply to Jaxine]

Thanks - I'll add it to my list!

[Jaxine in reply to Boxerlady]

Good give it a go. I enjoyed it for many reasons, mostly for just being someone who is passionate and creative and strives every day myself fighting a disease in the face of adversity.

[Potatos]

Thanks. I'll give it a watch sometime.

[Jaxine in reply to Potatos]

Let me know if you like it too!

[Potatos in reply to Jaxine]

Will do. But it may be sometime before I summon up enough enthusiasm for French subtitles!

[Jaxine]

Yes I agree with you I've got to be in the right mood, preferably when I've not had a glass of wine!😂😂

[Potatos]

Watched it last night. I enjoyed it but it isn't on my list of top 10 films! The French subtitles were funny at times. It has made me read up about Renoir though, I'd only ever looked at his paintings and knew nothing about his life.

[Jaxine in reply to Potatos]

No certainly not in mine either! But extremely interesting as you say regarding Renoir s life.