Film Preview: Papillon (2018)

Page Revisions:

(May 27, 2018) Original
(August 19, 2018) New Posters (#2-#3)

Release Date:

August 24, 2018

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “A prisoner detained on a remote island plots his escape. A remake of the 1973 film ‘Papillon’.”

Poster Rating: B+ / B- / C

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) A beautifully colored design with the titular butterfly as a cut out (papillon is French for butterfly). I can’t really imagine them doing much better, except perhaps finding a more striking background color/setting.

(#2) The butterfly motif is used well with a decent amount of detail mixed in making the film feel like it may have a bit of action, but also a smidgen of drama. (#3) Compared to the prior two posters, this is a rather lifeless design that lacks the thematic resonance.

Trailer Rating: B

SEE ALL TRAILERS BELOW
Review: The trailer spends a lot of time working its way through the film giving away a bit too much of it to be healthy. However, it certainly looks like a triumph of style and could be most rewarding to certain viewers.

Oscar Prospects:

The original film earned a single nomination for Best Original Dramatic Score. It was otherwise ignored and with Dalton Trumbo writing and Frnaklin J. Schaffner directing, it should have been a solid contender, but wasn’t. This is a re-adaptation and is directed by Danish documentarian Michael Noer. It could be a competitor, but I suspect it will be forgotten, especially with its August release.