Memorable, crazy movie

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I absolutely loved this film, French films are masters at this type of art. The longing for love the unknown forbidden fruit. Not wanting it yet finding it out of the blue, again metaphorical substances, her pain is real, the stone in her body is real, not attention seeking as her mother would say. Just as painful as her yearning for love, to be loved, to give love, naive, curious... The parents strict in many ways we do not know as to what she went through as a young child, but it forms and shapes her womanhood. Her mind in turmoil, visions, fantasies that are alive as daylight. Twists and turns in the film that left me totally glued as to what is going on with this creature, this beauty, these consequences that are occurring all the time, her loveless marriage, her son... It's the passion of love, lasting a mere moment in a lifetime, and ending so abruptly. To reconcile with herself, in the end finding who she is, finding her inner peace...she is in reality a part of most of mankind.

So many negative reviews, esp the Metacritic reviews! What movie were they watching? Guess it is a love/hate kind of movie.Tour de force acting by all. This could have easily turned melodramatic in other hands, esp with Gabrielle's state of mind, but Marion Cotillard's acting skills worked a wonder, as did Nicole Garcia's directing. A beautiful, if melancholic, love story. Gorgeous locations and photography, in the Alps and by the sea. The sound was spectacular and nominated for a Cesar award. It seemed like the ambiance was recorded while filming, instead of the usual Foley artists coming in to re-create the sound later. I think they did Foley some things, like footsteps, but the important scenes were recorded live. That is so rare; I felt like I was there, as I was when younger. If I am wrong, then outstanding Foley work! The music was perfect for the mood. Wow, I didn't even realize it was so long. It never felt like it. Sparse dialog and much of the film is done via feelings. When that is done so well it is truly a treat not many can pull off. Be sure and catch all the dialog, though, or you may not get it. I tried to guess what 'twist' could possibly happen, as I had read some reviews and knew there was one, but I was wrong (although mine was a good one!). It is rare to be fooled by a film these days! I feel strangely uplifted just now after watching this film, for some odd reason. Perhaps it is that I feel like I have just had a trip to Europe, or I was so immersed it was truly an escape and a journey. Enjoy!

Another fine effort from Nicole Garcia, reminiscent of another bitter-sweet movie I also enjoyed, Philip Lioret's Mademoiselle. Both films feature a married wife and mother spotting something that instantly transports them back to a time they encountered love. Nicole Garcia, consciously or not, includes a lovely in-joke; Tchaikovsky's June Barcarolle is a key element in the movie, played initially by Gabrielle's lover and again, years later, by her son. Sigmund Romberg composed several operettas in the 1920s and 30s and cheerfully admitted to 'borrowing' from the classics; his song Lover Come Back To Me, utilised thirteen notes of June Barcarolle in the Release, under the words 'I remember ev'ry little thing you used to do' and then, four notes later 'ev'ry road I walked along, I walked along with you', and Gabrielle writes dozens of unanswered letters to her lover begging him to come back to her. Although everyone turns in a fine performance the film is lifted a notch by the exceptional acting of Marion Cotillard and equally outstanding direction of Nicole Garcia. Not to be missed.

Although I knew what I would encounter, I watched the movie. I believe that if I take part in general impressions, I need to make a few words.First, there is a theme problem in the film. So when the film goes to the next scene, it leaves behind the previous problems and problems are accumulating. Naturally the stream is deteriorating. Secondly, the movie contains more than one movie. This is not something that can not be done, but this movie can not do it. This is a mistake made to create a plot twist. Finally, the film is far from cinematography. In the first twenty minutes there are worthwhile images, but then the film leaves it. Despite everything, Marion Cotillard is great again.It is not a film that does not appreciate what you get because you have nothing to gain.