Two Movie Comments (French)

Note: I've cross posted these comments in the European Movies folder.

Over the weekend I watched two DVD movies, both French. For those of you that haven't seen these films, here are my comments.

The first movie I watched was "A Happy Event (2011)" – recommended by Julie a couple of months ago.

This movie is about falling in love, getting married, having a child—and then dealing with the consequences. The two principal stars are Louise Bourgoin (primary) and Pio Marmaï (secondary). Both gave excellent and "totally" believable performances.

NOTE: Special effects were superb. To wit, I'd have sworn she (Louise) was pregnant while making part of the movie.

It took me a little while to warm to the movie. It's not fast-paced and the storyline is relatively straightforward. Still it was enjoyable.

In an offhand way, the movie is somewhat of a romantic comedy. And yet at the same time, it's not. It is, however, a realistic look at what some (maybe many?) couples go through when having their first child.

About halfway through the film, the story took a turn I didn't like OR maybe it just upset me. The put-off didn't last long before I was drawn back into the tale.

If you're looking for a fast-paced and action-packed movie, you won't find it here. This film has no violence, no convoluted storyline.

Caveat: There's nudity and sexual innuendo.

Plot

It's a very simple plot about falling in love, having a baby and then dealing with the resulting fallout.

I liked the movie and I give it 4 stars out of 5.

The second movie I watched was "Don't Look Back (2010)."

Let me start off by saying this is a strange/weird movie. At times I wasn't sure what was taking place. I would classify this film as a suspenseful semi-thriller with a heavy dose of Twilight Zone. Is it scary? No. Is it interesting? Yes.

It moves along at a nice clip, keeping you glued to the story as you're trying to understand what's happening. The two principal actresses are Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci.

When Jeanne's (Sophie Marceau) novel is refused for publication, she begins questioning her life, asking who she is. Is she really Jeanne? Or is she someone else? As the story unfolds, she seems to be transforming into someone else (Monica Bellucci). But why?

A young girl also seems to be haunting her, staying just out of her reach. In Jeanne's effort to get to the bottom of what's going on, she heads to Italy, leaving her husband and two children behind.

In Italy, she'll eventually find the truth, but it doesn't come to a head until she's back in France. It's the type of ending that leaves itself open to interpretation. In other words, the meaning of the ending isn't clear-cut—and yet it works.

Caveat: Because of the movie's nature, not everyone will like it.

Plot

Reclaiming childhood memories that were blocked out years ago and in the process, discovering who you are.

I liked this film and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.