Saint-Ex: The Story of the Storyteller

Though viewers are treated to interviews from family, friends, peers and biographers, we are warned in the opening credits that this work is "freely inspired by the events in the life of Antoine de Saint-Exupery", and not to be confused with the real Saint-Exupery. So--the not biographical film of Saint-Exupery is a brilliant non-portrayal of the man who would write the renowned children's book The Little Prince (among other titles), fly the French postal route over three continents, pilot a fighter plane for the French Air Force, survive numerous crashes and in 1944 disappear in his plane never to be heard from again. But that's not the good stuff. Breathtaking cinematography and surreal images bathe both St.-Exupery (played by Bruno Ganz, Wings of Desire) and his beautiful wife Consuelo (Miranda Richardson, Enchanted April) in so many vivid colors and pleasantly gratuitous style the story becomes almost inconsequential. That's not to say there aren't some charmingly human moments between the two principles here. In one scene, where Saint-Ex is flying the plane and Consuelo is in the co-pilot seat, he turns off the engines and says he'll only turn them back on if she kisses him. They both cross arms over chests, set their jaws, and stubbornly go for the nose-drive. Needless to say, they don't crash, but the lip-sparks do fly! Artfully, of course. A cinematic delight, this is highly recommended. (N. Plympton)