Xavier Dolan: A prodigy's journey beyond the VOD blips

There are times when cinematic giants stumble, and 2020 was one such moment for Xavier Dolan and Richard Linklater. Both esteemed filmmakers found their latest releases - Dolan’s ‘The Death and Life of John F Donovan’ and Linklater’s ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’ - not on the silver screen, but on the smaller, less glamorous platform of Video-On-Demand (VOD). This lackluster premiere was a stark contrast to their past successes, as reported by The Guardian.

"You can’t say it does so without ambition and bravado," was how Dolan's first English language feature was described. Despite the grandeur that comes with a Dolan-directed film, 'The Death and Life of John F Donovan' unfortunately fell into the common trap many global cinema geniuses experience when switching to English.

Despite its flaws, Dolan's distinctive Quebecois influence was still very much apparent in the ambitious, but convoluted film. This misstep, however, does not overshadow Dolan’s prolific filmography. Remember the atmospheric queer thriller 'Tom at the Farm', available on iTunes, or his electrifying 2009 debut 'I Killed My Mother'? All bristling with raw, ragged adolescent energy, these films showcase the brilliant past of a gifted director.

Similarly, 'Where’d You Go, Bernadette', despite being driven by the formidable talents of Cate Blanchett and Richard Linklater, was described as "disappointingly beige". But let's not forget Linklater’s magnificent 'Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy' (all available on Amazon) or the energized, frayed Gen X masterpiece 'Slacker' - these films exemplify the director's trademark wit and originality.

It seems that the missteps of Dolan and Linklater's recent films serve as mere blips in the otherwise illustrious careers of these two prolific filmmakers. As they continue to create, it's clear that their better days are still readily available on streaming platforms.

And in the midst of setbacks, hope still shines bright. Dolan has emerged from the ashes of 'John F Donovan' to create the far leaner and critically acclaimed 'Matthias & Maxime', set to hit cinemas later this year.

So, let's raise a glass to these cinematic giants - who stumbled, yes, but never ceased to create, challenge, and captivate. To their prolific pasts, and the equally promising futures.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)