Three Colors: White

Three Colors: White is a 1994 film directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, and is the second installment in his Three Colors trilogy. The movie is set in Poland, and follows the life of Karol Karol, a Polish hairdresser who is estranged from his French wife, Dominique. The movie is shot in black and white, with the exception of the opening sequence which is in color.

The movie begins with the wedding of Karol and Dominique where they exchange their vows. However, it quickly becomes apparent that their marriage is not meant to be, as Dominique is repulsed by Karol's lack of masculinity and poor financial situation. After returning to Poland, Karol is left homeless and jobless, and his only possession is a suitcase full of hair clippers.

From there, he begins to rebuild his life, and finds work as a gravedigger. It's through his job that he meets Mikolaj, a fellow Pole, who is a successful businessman. The two strike up an unlikely friendship and together they hatch a plan to smuggle Karol back to France so that he can reunite with Dominique.

What follows is a story of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Karol becomes embroiled in a complex web of deceit as he attempts to restart his life in France. He renounces his Polish citizenship and begins a scheme to build his fortune through illegal activities. During the process, Karol also begins a relationship with a woman named Veronique, who ends up playing a pivotal role in the story.

The film explores themes of identity, class, and love through the lens of the relationship between Karol and Dominique. It also explores the concept of 'equality' as a meaningless ideal, and how people will manipulate and abuse power to attain it. In the end, the movie is a powerful commentary on the human condition and its limitations.

Zbigniew Zamachowski delivers an excellent performance as Karol. He is able to portray the character's vulnerability and determination with great skill, capturing his confusion and insecurity as he tries to navigate through his new life. Julie Delpy shines as Dominique, who is initially portrayed as cruel and insensitive. However, as the story unfolds, she reveals a softer side to her character that makes her more sympathetic.

The movie is visually stunning too, with the stark black and white cinematography adding to the film's sense of alienation and desolation. The music, composed by Zbigniew Preisner, is also excellent, bringing depth and emotion to the film.

Overall, Three Colors: White is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that explores themes of identity, class, and love. The film is well-directed, well-acted, and beautifully shot, and is a great continuation of the Three Colors trilogy. If you are a fan of independent and foreign films, Three Colors: White is definitely worth a watch.