Written & Directed By: Yann Samuell
Cinematography By: Antoine Roch
Editor: Judith Riviere Kawa & Andrea Sedlackova
Cast: Guilliaume Canet, Marion Cotillard
As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another.
Funny story about his film, back when I used to work at tower video I used to rent a lot of DVD's but of a film had a lot of buzz or was tending to sell out I would pick up a copy of the film sight unseen. Usually I would watch it in a couple of day or weeks eventually watching it. There are some titles though that are buried in my collection that I still haven't watched not watched fully. This is one of Those films. I almost watched it a few years back when it was on cable but dyer the first 20 minutes kind of gave up on it as I wasn't In the mood and felt a little too much like a cutesy french films that I had been seeing an abundance of at the time like HAPPENSTANCE, VENUS BEAUTY SUPPLY, HE LOVES ME. So once I finally etched his film recently I kicked myself for not watching it and giving it a chance as it thoroughly impressed me.
Almost every film has a love story In it and it's a easy story to tell. It is also an easy story to destroy usually by making it too cliche which is why I am a fan but skeptical of films that are purely romantic.
One of the reasons I believe audiences love romantic films is that they are fantasy through and through they are responsible for inspiration and they are at times the model of what some believe love ad relationships are supposed to be, but like most films they are either a best case or worst case scenario. These films also provide a basis, they are examples of how you feel when you first fall in love or begin a relationship the funny and he heartfelt the Undiluted pureness of love and attraction before all the little things seep in and pollute it. it's also a perfect snapshot of the beginning of relationships that we all remember and crave like nostalgia before time and life get's in the way and change you and your partner as values, desires and incentives change over time. You might change bit that beginning feeling of wonder in relationships don't and audiences like to be reminded of it or witness it from others so while the world, Changes your favorite on screen romances don't.
This film reminds me a lot of AMELIE as it seems to take place in a sort of fantasy almost that takes place in the real world that has a magic realism. It's like a storybook or fable yet it involves sex which while making it seem like a perversion as most tales of magic are pure and any sort of tho that reeks of real life is usually absent or ruins it. Here it only adds to the fun.
As the film goes on it throws you off a bunch of times as to what is going on. We wonder like the characters is this another game or in ally the truth? It begins as innocent and lighthearted bit as the film continues becomes a not dark, bit always Manages to leave the audience with a smile on it's face.
Even at the end it seems to ask the audience to make up it's mind as to what the real ending is. As it never really answers the question as to what is real and what is fantasy. All that is true is love.
The films visuals are as playful as it's characters as they are free spirits adult children really as they don't seem to mature as their bodies do and though they might look like an act like adults to others once the two are around each other hey can't help but be playful and resort back to childhood games.
When Julien is at the cemetery on the day after which he and Sophie haven't seen each other for ten years, he wishes Sophie would just appear and sing "La Vie en Rose", a song by Edith Piaf. Marion Cotillard (Sophie) would later win an Academy Award for playing Piaf in La Vie en Rose.
This is a Romantic fantasy through and through, but one you wish could be real. it's a quotable film whose message seems pure and it's views simple and innocent. I wish more films wee this lightheartedly deep and playful, showing that love stories don't have to be depressing all the time to be deep or comedies to be relatable.
When it comes to foreign films their just always seems to be a bit more there that seems a bit lost in translation for me. Making me believe the work is much more richer.
The only unbelievable aspect of this movie is that anyone who had Marion Cotillard in love with them would turn her away. And not completely fall In love with her immediately. As her character is irresistible and even he film shows her to be this way. Then for the sale of the film I believe have the lead male not realize it until it's almost too late. The scene in which Julien and Sophie are immersed in cement was filmed by immersing Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet in apple sauce.
This film makes an excellent addition to an AMELIE, HAPPENSTANCE triple feature. It's the most beautiful reading you will have all day.
This is definitely an undiscovered gem that I highly recommend.
Grade: B
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