Three Colors: White (Trzy kolory: Bialy)

Release Year: 1994

Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski

Review: The second chapter in  Krzysztof Kieślowski's "Three Colors" Trilogy.  Karol Karol (Or Charlie Charlie in English, a reference to Chaplin's Tramp character) is a man who is down on his luck.  Due to his impotence his wife is divorcing him.  Stripped of all money, property, identification and dignity, Karol escapes from Paris to his native Poland where he sets out starting a new life and begins planning his revenge on his ex-wife.  

The theme of equality matches the title color, and as with the rest of the trilogy is explored on several levels.  On the surface White is a revenge film.  Karol is humiliated, and he wants to get revenge.  Revenge is taking his ex-wife down to his level, making her equal to him.  In another sense the equality is shown in a totally new light in the last scene of the film.  Without spoiling the movie, it brings a new perspective on equality as a theme in the film.  As always there are the usual Kieślowski motifs, such as unreferenced flash forwards and the concept of rebirth.   In each one of the films in the trilogy, there is a rebirth of a character, where they are brought to the point where they might as well be dead, but are brought back from the brink and are seen in a new light.  These little touches are part of what connects the films and make them such wonderful experiences.

Out of the three films, 'White' is the least visually stunning.  While still a good looking film, it doesn't carry the same pop as the others.  Perhaps it's because White is a harder to color to blend into scenes, but the color seemed less prominently featured.  I feel that White isn't as strong visually or thematically, but the most interesting plot wise.  It has the most cohesive story arch with enough comedy contained that its probably the most enjoyable film on the surface.
Rating: 4/5