Gabriel Byrne is Sensational in Beckett Bio-Retrospective Dance First

Many authors steeped in theatre reach back inside the pain of their own lives and loves to inform imagination ultimately melting the worlds of life into art.

Titled after Beckett’s famous ethos “Dance first, think later,” this film is a sweeping account of of 20th-century icon Samuel Beckett.  This literary genius lived a life of many parts: Lauded and applauded Parisian bon vivant, WWII Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse. But despite all this adulation, he was a man acutely aware of his own failings. Failings in life, in love and for one’s self.

Directed by James Marsh, Dance First is an artistic candy store into the land of imaginary and hands down one of the most intriguing pieces of cinema personally witnessed in quite some time. Exposing Beckett’s journey into shame, through the amazingly brilliant performance of Gabriely Byrne as Beckett, Sandrine Bonnaire as Suzanne and Fionn O’ Shea as the younger version of Sam one can not help but become swept up into this world full throttle.

Shooting mostly in black and white and using the concept of two Beckett’s to share this journey is enterprisingly unique and makes for an wonderful method to unfold the narrative. With a brand based on mystery, Marsh goes a step further into reasoning Beckett’s complexity which contributed to  such a prolific artist being unveiled and exposed.

Byrne and Bonniare are the other reasons this film is simply gorgeous and brilliant with performances that should be touted as masterclasses for future generations.  Byrne jumping into two sides of the coin in one role and Bonnaire playing the stoically supportive wife are simply stellar.  Not ot mention the imaginary of Marsh with a moth to a flame (literally), two hands together where the rings don’t quite reach one another and a love scene totally left to interpretation from its audience are all reasons this director is the consummate cinematic artist to match the complexities of Beckett bringing breath and depth to his life and legacy.

If you have not heard of Samuel Beckett, nor seen any of this work, Dance First will make you a fan for life.