Le syndrome des amours passées

What's the difference between love and sex? It's a conundrum that many of us wrestle with (and one that many of us would probably rather not bother with). However, what if it comes up in connection with resolving a sensitive, ongoing problem? That's what Sandra (Lucie Debay) and her partner Rémy (Lazare Gousseau) must face when it comes to finding an answer to their longstanding infertility problem. They want a child but are having much difficulty getting pregnant. But, after exploring many options, Sandra's obstetrician (Vincent Lecuyer) proposes an unusual treatment. After having attended a medical conference, he comes away from it believing that the couple is suffering from "Past Love Syndrome," a psychological condition that's blocking the physical act of fertilization, a disorder that can be overcome in most cases by each of the partners sleeping with all of their past sex partners. Sandra and Rémy are modestly stunned but nevertheless open to the prospect, but there's one issue that needs to be addressed - the partners each have drastically different sexual histories. Rémy has only slept with three other women, while Sandra is, shall we say, considerably more "experienced." This creates something of a disconnect between them, but, in the interest of achieving their goal of getting pregnant, they leave themselves open to the possibilities, a course of action that's subsequently filled with numerous unexpected surprises, many of them comic, some of them heartfelt, others heartbreaking. And so the process of becoming would-be parents takes off on an unusual odyssey, one punctuated by lots of laughs and a number of intriguingly profound insights about the nature of love, sex, relationships and fidelity (or substitutes therefor). Writer-directors Raphaël Balboni and Ann Sirot have come up with a delightfully charming, funny and endearing story, one that's nicely paced and presented with inventive cinematography and a sometimes-whimsical, often-colorful production design. This is one of those offbeat romances that pushes viewers to open their eyes - and their minds - to alternative possibilities when it comes to love and how we approach it, showing us that there are many untapped options out there that many of us have never pondered, let alone explored. Indeed, the experience of love need not be a one-size-fits-all exercise as this film so aptly shows. This is a Belgian import truly worthy of a domestic release. Let's hope it gets one.

This film is a great success on a difficult subject. A couple who are unable to have children, find themselves looking to sleep with their former partners. This is the therapy advised by their doctor. We don't know if this is based on a real medical-psychological protocol, but it's obviously a good idea for a film script.

To their credit, Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni succeed in making a film that is both light-hearted and profound about what unites and defines a couple. It's never boring or scabrous. The film is very well written, and each of the secondary characters is portrayed quickly and effectively. The search for these past loves won't be a simple one: what's become of them? Will they agree? Will it have an effect on the couple themselves? The strength of the script lies in its serious treatment of this argument, which may or may not seem far-fetched! Even if many sequences contain humorous elements.

The use of slightly esoteric montage sequences is a good idea and adds a dimension to the film. Just like the wall of past loves in front of which our couple take stock.

A light-hearted yet serious comedy, brilliantly carried by the duo Lucie Debay and Lazarre Gousseau.

The music, decor and plot make this movie feel like the intersection between a comedy and a fantasy. The main actors give a master class and the laughs are coupled with a few tears. Great way to explore complex topics like love, relationships, parenthood and what really matters in life.

I enjoyed the riveting music, the dreamy adult scenes and all the pillow talk. You can feel a real connection between the actors and some of the conversations almost feel unscripted (in a good way). I laughed through most of the film but did she'd a few tears, these topics are too real to not feel some connection.