alchemy is steeped in shades of blue .
kieslowski 's blue , that is .
with its examination of death , isolation , character restoration , and recovery from loss , suzanne myers ' new independent film echoes the polish director 's internationally - acclaimed 1993 release .
language aside , the principal difference between the films is that , while kieslowski took great pains to draw us into the main character 's world , alchemy keeps its viewers at arm 's length .
as a result , while we 're able to appreciate the film 's intellectual tapestry , it is emotionally distant .
alchemy is divided into three chapters : " charity " , " faith " , and " hope " .
while there are common themes and story elements running through all three , the single constant is the main character , a sculptor / russian translator named louisa ( rya kihlstedt ) .
when the film opens , she 's living with her painter boyfriend , whom she believes to be cheating on her .
following his sudden death in an automobile accident , louisa 's life is thrown into turmoil .
events swirls around her , and she ca n't find a source of stability .
in her quest to make sense out of her loss , she befriends her late boyfriend 's mistress , visits her ill sister , and , eventually , abandons her old life by joining a " back - to- nature " cult .
alchemy successfully explores a variety of compelling issues .
in addition to asking the basic question of how a person should cope with the unexpected death of a loved one , it probes beneath the surface of concepts like the importance of faith in the healing process , the meaning of love , and the nature of art .
does personality restoration come through interacting with others or escaping from the familiar ?
are artistic epiphanies the result of focused solitude or of living life , with all of its various distractions , to the fullest ?
myers ' challenge is to make these subjects , art film staples , engrossing in a new context .
through louisa 's struggles , she succeeds .
while alchemy is n't always emotionally appealing , it never loses its fascination .
even when we 're not connecting with louisa , who is often more of a locus for ideas than a fully - developed personality , there 's enough material on - screen to hold our attention .
the cinematography is stunning .
city scenes are tinted with blue , adding a cold , bleak dimension to the film 's early portions .
later , when louisa reaches the " wilderness " , we 're treated to a dazzling array of autumnal splendor -- brightly - colored leaves in the trees and on the ground .
it 's a startling - but - effective visual contrast that emphasizes the changes taking place in louisa 's life as she travels the road back to emotional stability .
the title refers to the practice of a group of mystical faith- healers who use " alchemy " to provide for the needs of the body and soul .
and , although louisa partakes of their peculiar brand of medicine , it 's ultimately love and companionship , not alchemy , that brings solace .
her pain is assuaged only when she lets go of the belief that the inherent safety of being alone is life 's ultimate goal .
even though louisa 's final transformation lacks the impact it could have possessed
had she been a more vital character , it 's still an intriguing and enlightening process to watch
.
alchemy is n't pure magic , but , especially during its best moments , it 's close .
the cinematography is stunning an intriguing and enlightening process to watch successfully explores a variety of compelling issues