Highly Overrated But Still Good

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

French film "Les Temps Qui Changent"/"Changing Times" is one of those nicely crafted culturally relevant films which suffers a lot due to richness of its great ideas ! This might seem strange as there are many minor stories in this film which invariably cross their paths with a brilliant main story.This is an element which fails to create an impression on viewers as an irregular back and forth jumping in time does not make any significant attempt to concentrate on any single aspect of its protagonists' emotional and sexual lives.There are some nice views of Moroccan city Tangiers as viewers get to see legendary superstars of French cinema Gérard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve make all possible sacrifices to rekindle their lost flames of love. However,all this fails to create a solid film as supporting cast has done an average job.André Téchiné has made better films and this film's failure would not dishearten his loyal admirers who know that he would emerge victorious again with a new film probing unfathomable depths of human relationships.PS : Film critic Lalit Rao would like to thank a good friend Mr.Philippe Pham for having gifted a DVD of this film for detailed analysis.

Andre Techine's film LES TEMPS QUI CHANGENT (CHANGING TIMES) has been marketed as a romantic comedy that brings Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve together again. He plays an architect who travels to Tangier for an assignment. It so happens that Deneuve, who plays the woman with whom he had an affair with 30 years prior, lives there with her husband and hosts a radio show. When they meet, she's not exactly happy to cross paths -- if anything, this is something that progressively upsets her. Adding to this, the appearance of subplots that are occurring around Deneuve's life: her son, Sami (Malik Zidi) shows up with his Moroccan wife Nadia (Lubna Azabal). She has a sister, Aicha (also Lubna Azabal) who wants nothing to do with her. Sami is also carrying on, unbeknown to Nadia, with a young Moroccan man. And Deneuve's husband has proclaimed he believes in variety instead of monogamy.Here is where CHANGING TIMES fails: too many subplots detract from the main idea of the romance that would carry itself throughout the movie. None of these stories have anything to do with Deneuve and Depardieu other than provide filler, and a forced third act, where Depardieu gets caught in a construction accident (foreshadowed in the beginning; the movie is mainly an extended flashback leading to this crucial moment) is only an excuse to get Deneuve to step down from her temple of frigidity and become a human being. Now, if Depardieu had not acted in such a way that would seem increasingly creepy instead of endearing there would be a reason to expect some form of romantic resolution to this. Deneuve's ultimate resolve, once it comes, is so completely out of character (like the short wig she is wearing at the end) that it denies everything that has up to then been an okay drama and robs the movie of its credibility.CHANGING TIMES is something of a misguided, misdirected mess that has some good moments and an intriguing premise but would have fared better had it not been sold as a romantic comedy. It's worth seeing if for its two leads, but other than that, it's rather forgettable.

Antoine Lavau, is a man that never forgot to love Cecile, even though a lot of time has passed since they last saw one another. In fact, Cecile, who has married a Moroccan physician, and has settled in Tangiers, is going through some difficult time herself. When Antoine asks to be sent to Tangiers for a big project, all he has in mind is to find Cecile again.Not everything goes well when Cecile and Antoine finally meet. It's almost impossible to reactivate a love affair after so many years, as Antoine keeps counting the days since he lost her. Cecile, who is working on a radio program, has found her marriage to Natan, is in shambles. To make matters worse, her bisexual son, Sami, arrives for vacation with his lover, Nadia, and her young son.Sami wants to resume his sexual liaison with a young local who he secretly lusts after. Nadia, on the other hand, an Arab, has adapted to the Western customs, whereas Aicha, her twin, is a modest woman who seems to observe her religion and who is only working at a minimum wage job in a fast food place.The film has an almost tragic end as Antoine suffers a grave accident and has to be hospitalized. Cecile has come to a decision and it will come as no surprise to the viewer: love conquers all! That is the message that Andre Techine wants to tell us. Working with the screen play by Laurent Guyot, he does what he can to make this film engrossing.Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve reunite, once again for this film. It shows clearly how time is cruel even to great beauties like Ms. Deneuve, who appears to be aging, but still has her great beauty to share with the audience. Mr. Depardieu, alas, although younger, appears not to have the same luck as his co-star. Gilbert Melki plays Cecile's husband, and Lubua Azabal plays the dual role of Nadia/Aicha.The film has some good moments, although this is not Mr. Techine's finest moment directing.

Just to add to the Australian fan's comments -- what is not to like about Changing Times? It echoes Last Metro (last Catherine & Gerard hook-up for the really nostalgia friendly) and tells a romantic story (a bit far fetched but remember suspension of disbelief as ticket of admission?) in a highly contemporary yet grown-up and worldly-wise way -- the cinematography and editing of same is exciting, story-focused and only sags a little in the middle like many of us. Stars like these two, who are actors first, remind us what "star" is supposed to mean -- they disappear into their characters and make you care what happens to them. Younger cast also compelling. vive les french flicks!!