Incroci sentimentali

Both Sides of the Blade (2022) follows a couple who's lives are changed when the woman's ex boyfriend comes back into the picture. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this film. It was definitely good and packed a punch, but don't go into it expecting a gritty romance thriller. It was a very personal film and I have a lot of respect for it.

I really liked the cinematography, it was subtle yet created a significant atmosphere. The lighting choices were very good and every shot was well lit, there were some nice colour palettes too. There were plenty of extreme close-up shots that showed the characters' emotions and the shots were very long too with a lack of jump-cuts which I felt worked well.

The music used was very fitting to the tone of the film and it wasn't too overbearing which I liked. However, there was really anything to talk about in terms of general sound design and I would've liked to see more from it.

The phenomenal performances from all involved definitely carried this film. The movie was a very intimate character study and it worked well as the film spends a good amount of time to introduce us to the three main characters, who are all quite interesting and felt realistic! Also, there was quite a lot of dialogue that was very thought provoking and engaging.

The film was slow paced, and unfortunately it occasionally dragged a bit. It took a while to get into because there wasn't much driving force in terms of plot and I would've liked for there to be more to it. However, the last 20 minutes were very intense and I thoroughly enjoyed the final act.

As an Avid movie goer I found Both Sides of the Blade as one of the best movies I have watched in the last few years. It reminded me on Red, Blue, White and Double Life of Veronica. In a way it is not as deep as those movies; it has a very simple plot depicting human psyche, emotions, insecurities, doubts, desire, relationships and it's challenges that can happen to anyone in the real life. If you're into art cinema you will be very happy watching this one. Both protoganists Juliette Binoche and Vincent Lindon act incredibly well. JB act makes this movie close to a masterpiece.

There is not a single character in Avec amour et acharnement to sustain a full viewing--I only made it to the end by telling myself it was a good way to practice my French. I really disliked all of the protagonists and found the lead, the Juliette Binoche character, especially pathetic: whiny, needy, and clingy. Her problems of self-esteem explain how she ends up with serial losers, but don't make it any easier to endure the completely overwrought dialogue of the script.

The good news is that the ending nearly redeems the rest of the film. So if you can hang on for two hours, at least you'll find something worthy of reflection after all has been said and done.

I have rarely seen a so accurate story, too much accurate maybe, because it may be disturbing if one way or another, you have yourself lived those situations. Awesome actors - and actress - performances that make it even more powerful. French movies are excellent in such topics, dialogues are so real, as in real life. The story is very common, without any surprise, but so well done, in a different manner than for instance Claude Sautet did in CESAR ET ROSALIE which was smoother for more or less the same plot, but Yves Montand, Samy Frey and Romy Schneider would had not fit with so extreme scenes. However maybe I am wrong. Anyway I guess that CESAR AND ROSALIE inspired Claire Denis for this film.

I haven't read the book this is based on, but after seeing the film and getting that WTF feeling, I had to see what other people thought and yes, the book was not well received. Which is in sharp contrast with the directing and acting in the film, which was really good.

In short, this film is more of a play than a film, just a few characters, a lot of talking, a lot of emoting, strong emotions that overwhelm reason. I don't like theater plays much and this film is a perfect representation of why not: a lot of noise and a story that brings little entertainment, even if - perhaps particularly when - it's well executed.

You have three major characters, two guys and a woman. The woman is with one of the guys, but has been thoroughly in love with the other one a decade prior. And suddenly he pops back up into their lives. And they can't just say "this is awkward and I will take no part in it", so they dance this ridiculous dance that has a relatively predictable poor ending. Oh, and then there is this 15 year old idiot son of one of the guys who pretty much has no bearing on the story, but wastes a lot of screen time.

You can't fault Juliette Binoche, of course, she can act better than most when she's sleepwalking, and Vincent Lindon was great, too. The direction of this story was good, too, in the sense that such a nebulous plot was made bearable. But in the end the story felt biographical, because it made little sense narratively, and all of the characters were really annoying most of the time.