This is one of those movies best viewed without knowing much about its plot. It's a story about two sisters living in Paris, their children, and their partners.
This is the first time I've seen Julie Depardieu and she's just so watchable, even in the beginning when she's made to appear drab and dowdy. As the movie progresses, JD's beauty begins to outshine her sister's overt, empty sexiness, as portrayed by Emmannuelle Beart. All three leads (Depardieu, Beart and Patrick Bruel) are top notch. EB has not been a favourite actor of mine but in this movie, she's nuanced in the portrayal of a spoiled, self-absorbed, bored entitled Paris housewife and mother. Of course, Emmanuelle Beart is a beautiful woman, but it's intriguing how she begins to look haggard as the movie progresses. The cosmetic surgery makes her face appear clownish--so that helps. Julie Depardieu's performance is subtle and believable. There's a scene between her and the actress who plays her daughter that is heart-wrenching--it could have easily become over-the-top, emotionally manipulative were it not for JD's restrained performance. And, of course, seeing the lights, streets and buildings of Paris make the movie watchable, indeed.
Worth watching...
