Riabbracciare Parigi

'Paris Memories' explores the aftermath of a traumatic incident. Mia survived a terrorist attack at a restaurant, and three months later, she is still haunted by the attack. She is having trouble remembering the events, and attends support groups for the survivors.

Thanks to a good performance by Virginie Efira, we feel her agony, and desire to remember, which will ultimately allow her to move on. In the process, she distances herself from her boyfriend, Vincent. (I couldn't understand why Mia wanted to shut him out while he was trying to help her, but this is revealed later.)

Mia meets survivor Thomas, who remembers the incident very well. Helping her to remember, they develop feelings for each other. Mia also begins a quest to finding the man who comforted her during the attack by holding her hand.

Although this is a well made film and deeply emotional, I must be honest I eventually found it a bit boring. With quite a bit of talk, it wasn't all that exciting. I've never really been one for talky dramas, so forgive me for feeling this way. I did like the satisfying ending, though.

This movie shows very well what (I imagine) it happens after an event like the one from November 2015 in Paris: life just cannot be the same. Survivors are haunted by what they have experienced and they feel deeply connected to the other people that survived - many of whom feel the urge to revisit the bistro where this took place and make sense of what happened. This experience is so profound, intimate and shifting for someone that this basically creates a new family, of survivors, at the expense of the existing relationships.

The main character finds herself trying to remember what happened, partly because she is being accused of blocking herself in a toilet in the moment of the attack and denying a hiding place for the others, partly because she cannot find shelter in her former relationships (friends, lover) all of which don't seem to understand why she cannot move on.

Among trauma, PTSD (portrayed in a very compelling way) and her struggle to piece things together, we also discover hope and human connection, and this is one of those movies where suspension of disbelief works. At some point I was actually surprised to recognize an actor from other movies, it just didn't occur to me that I was not watching a piece of real life. Leaving cheesiness aside, I highly recommend this one.

It's an enjoyable film, certainly worth the time. My major issue with it is that it's predictable. The lead reminds me of Jeff Bridges in Fearless and William Hurt in The Doctor. Both have traumatic experiences that make relationships with current lovers difficult if not impossible; a change of life is called for. That's what these films apparently require for plot, but is that true? Millions of men return from war to the same wives, jobs, lives. Other check boxes are ticked off: the co-survivors to whom the lead now more strongly relates; the initial accusation of guilt, later disspelled; the noble member(s) of the minority underclass that gets the lead all through it. For these requirements, sometimes the plot has phony constructs. Having said all that, the movie keeps you entertained, if it isn't really moving.

In the aftermath of a horrific terrorist attack on a Parisian bistro, Mia, a survivor, grapples with the devastating impact of the tragedy. While attempting to piece together the events of that fateful night and making amends with the city she once adored, she sets out on a mission to reclaim her life. Alice Winocour's moving and thought-provoking film explores the psychological effects of trauma and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Virginie Efira, fast becoming one of my favourite French actors, delivers a compelling performance as Mia, her expressive eyes and subtle gestures conveying the profound emotional turmoil she faces. The film's narrative unfolds with a quiet intensity, mirroring the protagonist's fragmented memories and the lingering trauma that binds her to the past.

The subtle yet effective direction of Winocour puts the characters and their feelings front and centre. The film's cinematography, characterised by soft, diffused lighting and a muted colour palette, creates an atmosphere of melancholic beauty, capturing the haunting essence of Mia's fractured world. With its delicate and melancholy melodies, the film's score by Régoire Hetzel enhances the story. The music subtly underscores Mia's emotional journey, adding depth and resonance to her silent struggles.

While Paris Memories excels in its portrayal of trauma and the healing process, it occasionally falters in its pacing and narrative structure. Certain scenes feel meandering, and the film's conclusion could have benefited from a more impactful resolution. The film's strengths, particularly its sensitive handling of delicate subject matter and its nuanced performances, overshadow these flaws.

Paris Memories is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of trauma, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection. It is a film that lingered in my mind long after the credits rolled, prompting me to reflect on the fragility of life and the strength we find within ourselves to overcome adversity.

Paris Memories is a powerful cinematic experience that, with its sensitive portrayal of trauma, its engaging performances, and its evocative cinematography, makes it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a poignant and emotionally resonant film.

A leaky pen. A notebook. A Birthday cake. A tattoo. Details. Some clear, others vague. Mia (Virgine Efira from Verhoeven's BENEDETTA) is a young Parisian woman in a stable relationship. One night, by happenstance, she finds herself in a restaurant. Out of nowhere, an armed assault. She's injured. Blacks out - but, survives.

Alice Wincoer's gently searing drama is loosely based on a coordinated 2015 terrorist attack on several sites in the Paris area (her brother was a survivor). Wincoer who co-wrote with a pair of screenwriters, always keeps the focus on Mia and the other survivors and their friends and families from that cafe. The terrorists are never clearly seen, nor are the other attacks explicitly spelled out.

Mia is more than merely shell-shocked. Her psychological wounds are more debilitating than her physical ones. Because she passed out, her memory of the event is scattered. The survivors form a support group and they help one another remember - if they choose to. Some want to reconnect, others recoil. Thomas (Benoit Magimel) was a man who's Birthday the cake was for. He is one of the 'lucky ones' in that he has full memory of that fateful night.

Wincoer (who wrote the screenplay for the wonderful Oscar nominated MUSTANG), does a fine job here inviting the viewer to piece together Mia's journey along with the character. The audience is never ahead of the woman, nor does the filmmaker rely on sensational dramatic turns to amp things up. It all unfolds at a placid pace. There are a couple of jolting jump cuts as if to remind one that such shocks could happen to anyone, anytime.

REVOIR PARIS doesn't have a pat ending. Mia and Thomas have their lives impacted, but they are all individuals and what may hold for one, may not for another. All that is certain is uncertainty, but there's also a kind of solace in living in the moment and embracing those around you while one can. REVOIR PARIS is one of the most moving movies of the year.