Love at First Fight (2014)
Between his friends and the family business, Arnaud's summer looks set to be a peaceful one. Peaceful until he runs into Madeleine, as beautiful as she is brusque, a concrete block of ...
Director:
Thomas CailleyWriters:
Thomas Cailley, Claude Le PapeStars:
Adèle Haenel, Kévin Azaïs, Antoine Laurent .Storyline
Between his friends and the family business, Arnaud's summer looks set to be a peaceful one. Peaceful until he runs into Madeleine, as beautiful as she is brusque, a concrete block of tensed muscles and doomsday prophecies. He expects nothing; she prepares for the worst. He takes things as they come, likes a good laugh. She fights, runs, swims, pushes herself to the limit. Given she hasn't asked him for anything, just how far will he go along with her? It's a love story. Or a story of survival. Or both. Written by Directors' Fortnight.
Movie Reviews
A Delightful Coming-Of-Age Film. ♦ Garde C+
There seems to be some confusion regarding the genre of this film. Both Wikipedia and the film's official website claim it to be a romantic comedy. While there is a faint streak of romance in here, comedy only peeks inside a couple times from the far window.
In this coming-of-age story about two wanderers, played exceptionally by Haenel and Azais, the point made is that of survival. Sampling metaphor in its most basic form, the lead characters explore the idea of survival in a world which is ever inching closer to extinction. At least that's what one of them thinks. That living life by not doing anything specific is what survival means, remarks the other, eventually giving rise to a romantic connexion.
The story is well-written and is driven forward with brilliant use of electronic music and an even pace. However, the story turns flat towards the end, making the whole setup look like it was all about letting the characters fall in love, which in the Hollywood happens just after two pints of beer.
I might have chuckled a couple times, but that's it. So people who are expecting to laugh out should check their options. Otherwise, it is a delightful drama which will most probably bring a smile on your face. The depiction of nature is also enchanting.
In this coming-of-age story about two wanderers, played exceptionally by Haenel and Azais, the point made is that of survival. Sampling metaphor in its most basic form, the lead characters explore the idea of survival in a world which is ever inching closer to extinction. At least that's what one of them thinks. That living life by not doing anything specific is what survival means, remarks the other, eventually giving rise to a romantic connexion.
The story is well-written and is driven forward with brilliant use of electronic music and an even pace. However, the story turns flat towards the end, making the whole setup look like it was all about letting the characters fall in love, which in the Hollywood happens just after two pints of beer.
I might have chuckled a couple times, but that's it. So people who are expecting to laugh out should check their options. Otherwise, it is a delightful drama which will most probably bring a smile on your face. The depiction of nature is also enchanting.
