Catch-22

En répétition vers le nouveau ou en ligne droite vers toujours le même ? Un exemple concret échappant complètement aux auteurs : le logo du livre original, MaM, devient MM dans la mini-série. Et dans cette différence est contenu tout - l'articulation illusionniste & créait une différenciation interne et l'apparence que les deux M étaient quelque chose de différent de la seule personne, Milo Minderbinder, qui est à l'origine de tout cela : nous avions donc une similitude qui se différencie d'elle-même et crée quelque chose de nouveau, un monde toujours en expansion dans le monde, une économie circulaire de M à M avec le symbole & plein de virages et de circularité temporelle. En revanche, MM, lié par une verticalité commune où un M se termine là où l'autre commence, renvoie à une verticalité unidirectionnelle du temps alias une linéarité du temps et de la narration, qui est toujours la même chose dans le cas des séries américaines, des séries Netflix, des produits Apple TV, des mini-séries HBO et des films hollywoodiens, un retour éternel du même schéma narratif, des clichés visuels et narratifs et des contenus lissés qui sont en contradiction avec la pierre angulaire fondamentale de l'œuvre littéraire, ce qui ne peut pas être ignoré car il ne s'agit pas d'un changement légitime (parce que toute adaptation d'un livre au cinéma est toujours perçue par les lecteurs originaux comme une simplification/torsion, etc., ce qui n'est cependant pas le cas de cette violation de la structure de base même de la narration), mais politique, idéologique et artistique avec un grand A, contre lequel il faut lutter toujours et partout et par tous les moyens ! (10/05/2022)

I admit that the original film from 1970 didn’t impress me as much as this mini-series. I must say that the boys starting with Clooney did a really good job here. The absurdity of war is portrayed in a rather sarcastic fashion, there is something hilarious going on every other moment, and just when you get used to the light-hearted atmosphere, you get punched right in the gut and all laughter will leave you. It hasn’t happened to me in a long while to laugh so much at something only to be gaping at the screen a moment later, trying to accept the events that happened in the story. I bow down before the creators. That’s how you induce films with emotions, and this series really got to me in this respect. Moreover, Christopher Abbott is absolutely wonderful, and he’s perfectly complemented by the rest of the cast, including the locals, who will make you laugh despite the language barrier. One of my best cinematic experiences of 2019. (30/07/2019)

I haven't read the book, unfortunately, but after seeing this successful adaptation, I'm convinced I would like it. From the first episode, I felt a certain resemblance to the highly successful series M*A*S*H, which never really grew on me. However, Catch-22 won me over more and more with each episode, until at the end I found myself thinking that I wouldn't be angry at all if I could continue to follow the fate of Captain Yossarian, played by the excellent Christopher Abbott, trying his best to avoid the bombing. I had a great time most of the time, but at the same time, I kept wondering what terrible things would happen again. I haven't seen a better series telling about the absurdity and tragedy of war. (90%) (16/02/2021)

I'd like to say that the film adaptation of Heller's famous novel is much closer in spirit and appearance to the original, with clear absurdity, biting humor, and a much more concentrated storyline, as well as fragmented plotlines and hallucinogenic states similar to the novel's treatment of different temporal planes and the obstacles it presents to the reader. The series is for those who want it spoon-fed, as it is linearly narrated, with an obvious attempt to make the content accessible to a wide audience. Satire is present, but it persistently refrains from attacking, only growling and baring its teeth here and there. The film emphasizes more confusion and Captain Yossarian's crisis of values. In the series, the novel's social criticism seems to fade in favor of comfort and relaxation. I feel an underlying effort to dull the sharpest edges of conflict. Nevertheless, it is an above-average series that is definitely worth seeing. Overall impression: 75%. (05/02/2021)

I'm usually apprehensive about movies and series based on my favorite books, but this one was a nice surprise. Although the creators obviously didn’t follow the original to the letter, I didn't mind because I got a very well-filmed anti-war series with decent acting performances and a great combination of humor and drama. So, instead of the expected disappointment, I had a great time. (25/08/2019)