Acclaimed French filmmaker Claire Denis has offered rare praise for a Hollywood blockbuster with her lauding of Robert Pattinson’s “intimate” portrayal of Batman in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
In a fascinating discussion with Screen Slate about her restoration of 1992 film No Fear No Die, Denis delved into what makes Pattinson’s nuanced lead performance stand out against the spectacle of a $200 million comic book tentpole.
“I like the way he constructed his Batman,” Denis told the publication. The veteran director, who worked with Pattinson on 2018’s High Life, was drawn to his ability to extract complex characterization from beneath the Dark Knight’s cowl.
“It’s very intimate and delicate,” Denis elaborated, noting Pattinson infused Bruce Wayne with vulnerabilities the role doesn’t always allow. She compared his inward-looking take to experiencing “two films in one” – the emotionally grounded Batman story within the CGI-fueled blockbuster around it.
This isn’t the first intersection of Denis and Pattinson’s careers. They’ve maintained a creative rapport since High Life, with Denis previously planning a stage production led by Pattinson. She said reshoots on The Batman also caused him to exit her upcoming film The Stars at Noon.
Still, Denis conveyed appreciation for lessons learned through Hollywood relationships. Now in her 70s, she remains a passionate advocate for independent voices while retaining admiration for directors like Christopher Nolan who achieve both critical acclaim and mainstream success.
As Denis actively develops her next film The Fence, her thoughtful consideration of The Batman spotlights an auteur’s ability to discern creative merit even within billion-dollar franchises.
Discussion about this post