"Clouds of Sils Maria" is a compelling drama centered around a veteran, A-level actress, Maria, who wrestles with revisiting the play that has given her big break at the early start of her career, by taking the role of the older, manipulated woman rather than the ingenue. The film is mainly set in Switzerland among the alps with a through line to the "Maloja Snake", which is indeed a picturesque and captivating hideaway. Nothing much happens, but the interplay between Maria and her assistant that mirrors the playwright itself realistically blurs the lines between work and personal endeavours. There is commentary on ageism, quest for youth, the movie industry, the digital world and tabloids, relational dynamics and so on. Each scene has a purpose and a reference to the film - both simultaneously profound and calming.

We found the movie to be extremely boring. We forced ourselves to watch it a while and give it a chance when we became bored at the beginning. We stopped watching it after an hour because it did not hold our interest. Although we usually like character studies, psychological and intellectual stories, this was too dry.

It's unfair of me to have seen Stewart in several Twilight movies. On one hand, I can see how far she has come since her performances as Bella Swan. On the other hand, I can't see much authenticity in her performance. As Valentine, she has been given a good part that fits who I think Stewart really is to a degree. An actor? She gets paid well for it. A good actor? The jury is still out on that one.

I've watching this movie several times. Some elements are subtle, almost to a fault, but the performances and the script bring me back to digest it anew.

It feels a little like Bergman Lite, with Assayas going down some familiar (and occasionally a little obvious) roads. It's still intriguing due in no small part to Binoche who gives an unsurprisingly complex and nuanced performance and Stewart who gives a surprisingly complex and nuanced performance.

Clouds of Sils Maria is a film uncommonly rich in character development. This is the kind of film that one expects from a master, at the top of his game, which some might argue (myself included) that Assayas presently is. The performances of the characters in Assayas' film are incredible. Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart are both MasterClasses in acting. Admittedly, the film can be self-indulgent, but who cares when one of the greatest actresses to ever act comes onto the silver screen with an encompassing performance?

Meta all the way, with Maria (Juliette Binoche) and Valentine (Kristen Stewart) winding their way through the complexities of life and art. Binoche's character is immersed in the craft of acting, slightly out of touch with contemporary life, while Stewart's character is plugged in entirely. The two of them find themselves in isolation in the Swiss Alps rehearsing a play (a reprisal of one of Maria's first successes). Metaphors such as the winding roads of the Alps, the snaking clouds--a famous yet rare occurrence bring to light the relationship between actor (Maria) and her assistant (Valentine) as well as the two actresses playing these roles. I have watched it a few times and it only gets better with each viewing. There is real chemistry between the actresses, but the script and the setting create a jagged mirror, reflecting what fame is and how those who have achieved it are living in a completely different altitudes. It would take an essay to delve deeper, but please watch it with patience and an open mind, it is totally worth it.

It's worth the watch, especially when you understand the title's meaning in the film, but it loses it's intensity through Grace Moretz's acting and those unnecessary fade outs.

It would be referred to as 'boring' by the masses but the scenery and character dynamics are resonant. Binoche and Stewart are reveling in character here under Assaysa's focused direction.

Random slices of life of an actress. The point of telling this story was unclear. The movie lacked an ending.

One of my favourites!

15/20.....................................................................................................................................

Pure art. Kristen Stewart definitely deserves that Cesar.

There are few directors who can plunge into the depths of the human psyche as effectively as Olivier Assayas. The Clouds of Sils Maria sets its sights on the relationship between an actress trying to come to terms with her fading youth (Juliette Binoche) and her insightful and grounded personal assistant (Kristen Stewart). Set in the beautiful Swiss Alps, the two rehearse a play that closely resembles their own relationship, forcing the elder of the two to examine the nature of relationships, the transitions she is forced to make both personally and professionally, personal obligations, and the mystery and meaning of the clouds of Sils Maria. The insightful script by Assayas allows Binoche to prove that she is one the finest and most consistent actors working today and that Stewart, when outside the Twilight universe, has some serious acting chops.

A film will come along occasionally that you just cannot understand. I could not appreciate any aspect of this film the way that I wished to, given the positive reviews. Binoche and Stewart seem to give decent performances, but I never found Stewart believable in her PA role. The plot felt aimless. There is certainly something in the idea of exploring actors in a more surreal, abstract format as seen in Birdman, but I could not help but find this dull. Moretz is also here as well. I'll be honest, I was so uninvested by the time she entered the fray that I can add little about her performance. This one was just surprisingly forgettable all the way through.

Two words: Kristen Stewart. Steals the show. Amazingly subtle acting. One of the best art-imitating-life movies I've ever seen.

I thought Kristen Stewart's performance was well done, but I absolutely cannot abide Assayas' fondness for a fade cut. The scenes of Binoche and Stewart running lines were, by far, the stand out moments of the film.

Nothing special going on. You have seen this done better but the acting is strong especially from Stewart.

At certain points it was really hard to tell if the conversations between Maria and Val was real or it was just part of the rehearsals. I also really loved the parallels between Sigrid/Helena and Val/Maria relationships. Also Val's ending was mysterious, she just disappeared and we didn't get to know if it was like her interpretation or Maria's. Overall, a great movie that lets you enjoy every second of it.

A film that tries too hard. 'Clouds of Sils Maria' is one of those productions that attempts to be artsy and impactful, by making everything look and feel great. By doing so, it almost forgets to join it all together in order to solidify the plot. I don't hate this by any means, it simply does too much. There's numerous narratives here which just end, without clearer explanation. That does, I guess, leave it to the viewer to interpret on their own, which is good though not when it's every important path in the film. Juliette Binoche is excellent as Maria, her performance definitely carries things and she improves all those around her. Kristen Stewart is the 'best of the rest', but she always (to me, anyway) feels out of place in this world. It shows off some stunning shots of the Swiss municipality, has a great lead but ultimately fails to strike a chord with me unfortunately.