MOVIE REVIEW
Gardens in Autumn (2006)
Artificial Eye
A rather beautiful leopard appears in the film "Gardens in Autumn," languishing in the white and gold opulence of the home of government minister Vincent (Séverin Blanchet). There are animals everywhere, in fact, but this particular beast – Otar Iosseliani, the film’s writer and director, has claimed – symbolizes power, in much the same way as the ancient kings would keep menageries of the rare and wild within their palace walls.
In some ways the leopard also reflects the nature of the film itself as it remains rather tame throughout, casting a sly eye over proceedings rather than surrendering to more savage instincts and letting rip with tooth and claw. Likewise, "Gardens in Autumn" is a droll, gentle film which pokes a satirical tongue out at the world of work and politics without being sharp enough to suggest anything that is not already universally familiar.