Miente Conmigo

I went into this film not knowing it is based in a book, which I have no idea how the book is, however I must say this movie is simply stunning, everything about it is just gorgeous. The acting, the place where it is set. The story. Some scenes I had tears in my eyes and I am not a person who cries in movies but this one deeply touched me.

Pros.

1. The story is just so captivating and stunning, get ready for wet eyes.

2. The acting is simply superb, some interactions are truly amazing.

3. The leads specially Guillaume and Victor.

Cons.

I believe this is the first time I have absolutely nothing to remark about a film.

Enjoy the movie,!!!

I agree the English translation (subtitles) are not perfect and are not as good as the book. The French dialogue is actually better. That said, as someone who played one of those roles in real life, and as someone with far too many friends from that era/generation who also played out one of those roles in their lives, this movie is poignant, painful, and sad, as well as happy, hopeful and healing. I think it is an awesome movie that made me laugh and cry as I could so easily draw parallels to my own life. I highly recommend it to guys who grew up in that time, as well as to younger guys who may not understand what many of us went through back then.

For any gay man who married a woman, or woman who married a gay man (feel free to swap out genders as applicable), this movie could help understanding. It's emotional and beautifully acted and directed.

Obviously, this movie means a lot to me and I truly love it. It is very near the top (if not THE top) of my list of all time favorite movies, and I cannot wait until it is available for purchase in the US so I can add it to my permanent collection!

Please see this movie and enjoy it!

I liked the novel and its adaptation was more than a beautiful surprise. First , because the book offers raisons of non adaptation. It seems the story of intense youth , very personal for viewer , who can be only discovered, page by page , as personal in some measure.

But the film has the gift to represent more than an inspired adaptation.

First, it is the merit of actors, offering a profound seductive experience.

Second, the virtue of script.

Not the last, the feeling of dialogue and precise definition of states , vulnerability.

A famous writer returns to the homeplace. The son of his love from high school is one of his hosts , in kind way. And the past, near the missing periods are one.

In short , a film for who is very easy - and fair to just grateful.

Writer Stéphane Belcourt (Guillaume de Tonquédoc) has been suffering from a bit of a creative block when he agrees to return to his childhood home to do a presentation for it's legendary cognac producer. Somewhat disinterested in the whole affair he is greeted by the effusive "Gaëlle" (an increasingly scene-stealing Guiliane Londez) who races around ferrying him from pillar to post in quite a frenetic fashion. Quite by chance, there are some visiting Americans at the vineyard and they are being guided by "Lucas" (Victor Belmondo). The latter man has a surname that triggers memories in the former and now we are taken on a parallel tracked story that illustrates forbidden (first) love from 1984, and offers a shot at redemption for both the younger and the older man. The story is gently paced and the acting - especially from Jérémy Gillet as the author in his younger years - is really quite potent. The story of bigotry and conformity - and the lifelong ramifications for all concerned of fear and shame is played out stylishly and set against a backdrop of conflicted history. A community that lives it's life largely as it makes it's luxury "elixir" - in a time honoured fashion - finds that perhaps the best from that time has now passed. As I watched, I couldn't help wonder just how many people actually lived their lives like this - stuck with an opportunity-free rural existence amongst a gene pool of relationships that was never going to satisfy those more creative, imaginative and , of course, gay who emerged! This is well worth a watch - and Belmondo is a dead ringer for his grand-father too!

As is the book, the story here is autobiographical and it is felt. The movie captures that quite well, there's a rawness to it that makes it feel like you're watching these events as they are unfolding whether they are in the present or the flashbacks. A movie that goes back and forth between the present and the past is nothing new, and someone reminiscing on their first love isn't either, but this film does a good job of it in the way it's structured. The flashbacks actually feel like memories, as bittersweet as they can be, and contrast well with Stephane now as he's still hurt by them and yet cherish them.

The whole cast is great but there are standouts. Guillaume De Tonquédec is the only actor in the cast I knew by sight but I've seen him more in comedic roles - at least that's the memory I have of him - but he nails it. His internal emotional turmoil reads perfectly as he comes back into town and meets Lucas. In the present scenes, it's mostly him and Victor Belmondo - famous last name and familiar features but the first time I've heard or seen him in anything - they are good but not as poignant as the flashbacks. Julien De Saint-Jean and Jérémy Gillet are just amazing in this film, their scenes give life and weight to the scenes in the present. These flashbacks are intense, believable, and capture gay teenage love well.

Lie with Me / Arrête avec tes Mensonges is sweet considering what it's about, even light at times but it works.

@garcwrites.