Banknote: An odd, dusty relic worth digging up

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for classic cinema that feels like it was filmed in a different century—which, well, it was—then Banknote is a solid pick. It’s not for the folks who need a cut every three seconds to stay awake. If you prefer your drama served with a side of theatrical, slightly over-the-top acting, you’ll probably dig it.

If you hate subtitles or films that take their sweet time setting up a shot, stay far away. You will be bored to tears. Personally, I found the slow pace kind of relaxing, even when the plot started getting a bit muddy.

Notes from the couch

The cinematography has this weird, flickering quality. It reminds me a bit of the grainy texture in Life and Passion of Christ, though obviously a different kind of vibe entirely. Sometimes the shadows are so deep you can barely see the actors' eyes. I kept squinting at the screen, which probably made me look like an idiot.

Fouad El Rachidi is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. There’s a scene where he’s just sitting at a desk, looking at a piece of paper, and I swear he held that expression for a full minute. It’s the kind of deliberate, awkward pause that would get cut in a modern edit, but here? It works. It makes the guy seem like he’s actually thinking.

The weird bits

• The sound mixing is all over the place. Sometimes the dialogue sounds like it’s coming from inside a tin can.
• Mary Queeny has this one outfit that looks like it’s made of about forty yards of velvet. She moves like she’s floating.
• There’s a street scene midway through that feels like it was filmed in a single take. You can see a guy in the background looking right into the lens. Classic.

It’s not perfect. The story sort of loses its steam right when you think it’s about to hit a climax. It reminds me a little of the aimlessness in Three Foolish Weeks, where you’re just happy to be along for the ride without needing a clear destination.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a fascinating piece of history? Yeah, I think so. Sometimes it’s nice to watch a movie that isn't trying to sell you a franchise. 🎥