Parlez-moi d'amour
2002 Drama
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Credits
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Summary
After 15 years of married life, Justine and Richard agree to separate. Justine has
grown tired of her husband’s drinking bouts and petty jealousies; Richard cannot forgive
her for her marital infidelities. Whilst Richard buries himself in his work as a
screenwriter, Justine is fully occupied with their three young children. Visiting
her mother, Justine reflects on her own past – her parents’ bitter separation and her
meeting with Richard…
Review
Internationally renowned film actress Sophie Marceau makes her directorial debut with
this ambitious, semi-autobiographical drama which won her an award at the 2002 Montreal
World Film Festival. Whilst Marceau shows some promise as a director, this bears
all the tell-tale signs of a first film – it is overly directed, the narrative is weakened
by unnecessary artistic excesses, and the actors are not given space to breathe.
The film starts well enough with its accurate portrayal of chaotic family life but quickly
becomes tiresome when its lack of depth and any real emotional power become apparent.
Judith Godrèche and Niels Arestrup, both fine actors, have to struggle to make
their characters convincing, and the script (again, Marceau’s own work) is largely to
blame for this. The attractive, appropriately moody cinematography cannot compensate
for dull dialogue and empty characterisation. If anything, the endlessly roving
camera merely distances the audience from the protagonists, conveying a sense of detachment
which robs the film of any real emotional impact.
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