Bal Des Ardents was inspired by writer and director Nokomis Leaman Logsdon’s time waitressing in a jazz club in NYC – a job which undoubtedly provided many interesting stories.
The exquisite production value of Bal Des Ardents strikes from the beginning as we are immersed in an underground world of madness and masquerade. The baroque string piece accompanying the opening sets a tone of excess and luxury, but the film itself explores the darker side of the coin.
Although the bar may be glamorous, being a waitress certainly isn’t as newbie, Pet (Peyton Michelle Edwards), finds out. It’s hectic and unpredictable. The antics don’t stop when your shift is over. Veteran waitress, Froggy (Maggie McMeans) is always up to mischief. After a busy night, Froggy, Pet and the barman, Charlie (Henry Fulton Winship) unwind with a drink. The musical interlude from Froggy is an enjoyable addition and gives the film something a little different. The three have a champagne and Absinth fuelled party in the empty bar wherein the possibility of a love triangle is hinted at.
However, after the three get caught and Froggy confesses to stealing the champagne, a strange chemistry emerges between Pet and the boss, Louis (Mark Hattan). Much is left to the imagination of the viewer, but we are given enough to connect the dots. Froggy and Pet then have a confrontation. For me, the plot got a little lost here as I couldn’t work out why the relationship between Froggy and Pet deteriorated so quickly. The final third could have benefited from some more development and perhaps a slower pacing. That being said, I think I just wanted to see more of the characters because they are all so strong and individual – Bal Des Ardents part two, perhaps?
The relationship between Pet and Froggy is captured well by Edwards and McMeans. An ambiguous tension ties them together; is it sexual? Jealousy? Competition? Regardless, their on-screen presence is captivating. Winship, as Charlie, provides a good balancing force to the strong female core. Similarly, Hattan playing the slightly sleazy manager provides yet another dimension to the film.
Watch out for Bal Des Ardents at film festivals in the coming months!