Film Review
As in his earlier film
Les Voleurs, Techiné uses the trick of telling part
of the story out of sequence - in this case to reveal Martin's terrible secret.
This device works to some extent but disrupts the narrative flow perhaps needlessly -
and what is revealed adds little to what has already been eluded to earlier in the film.
Also, the film has a noticeable bias towards the Martin character, to the detriment of
Alice, whom we hardly get to know at all, despite an exceptional performance from the
superlative Juliette Binoche.
Whilst flaws such as these are all too easily noticed - and doubtless critics will use
these to lambast the film - the film manages to ride such faults very well. This
is a film that plays as much to the eyes as to the heart, the sombre lurid beauty of photography
capturing very well the turmoil and unrest that tortures the lives of the fragile Alice
and the bruised Martin.
Alexis Loret's performance as Martin is both engaging and commanding, despite his inexperience
(this is his first major screen role).
© James Travers 2000
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next André Téchiné film:
Loin (2001)
Film Synopsis
In the southwest of France, Martin is leading a tranquil childhood with his
mother and her boyfriend when his wealthy father, Victor Sauvagnac, insists
on taking custody of him. Martin's subsequent upbringing under the
strict and unforgiving Sauvagnac is far from happy. Not long after
his father's death, Martin, now twenty, runs away from home and spends a
few weeks living rough in the country. His half brother Benjamin is
pleased when he shows up unexpectedly at his studio apartment in Paris. An
aspiring gay actor, Benjamin lives with a temperamental musician of his own
age, Alice, and struggles to get by on what he earns. Still troubled
by his father's death, Martin starts to rebuild his life and is encouraged
when he finds work with a modelling agency. Despite her own problems,
Alice finds herself drawn to him and the two are soon embarking on a passionate
love affair. When Martin's work takes him to Grenada, Alice follows
him and reveals that she is pregnant with his child. The revelation
proves too much for Martin. The couple flee to a quiet spot by the
sea to take stock of their lives. It is here that the anxious young
man must come to terms with the terrible truth that he may have killed his
own father...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.