Whatever

Unremittingly bleak and depressing, the film evokes as well as could be desired the legendary misery and emptiness that characterised Houellebecq's controversial novel of the same name. Like many French films, its manner is one of wistful profundity but it is painfully slow - or should that be, slowly painful? While this is an excellent and challenging film, it is not an enjoyable one and its difficult to think of any time when one might be in the 'right' mood to see it.

A film about a bored, depressed fortysomething in nineties Paris with a total lack of a sex life, and his bleak, morose views on life and women. Despite his depression and loneliness, 'Our Hero' seems reluctant to do anything about his problems, unlike his business friend Tisserand, who at least tries to attract a partner - but is doomed to failure every time. Well directed, with an intriguing narrative structure, this is an interesting film even with it's almost constant downbeat, depressing tone.

6.5/10.

It is true that in some ways it is a bleak film but in no way is it depressing. It's got a similar feel to Neil Labute's In The Company Of Men, ie very very funny, everything shot through with a healthy dose of black humour. The climax in the club and on the beach are some of the funniest and breathtaking scenes I've ever seen in a film. The dialogue is spot on. It did take a short while for me to get the measure of this but once I was in I was hooked. It's definitely worth sticking with. I haven't read the novel so I can't say how closely it sticks to Houellebecq's material but I have read his follow up Atomised and was pretty underwhelmed for the most part so maybe this is a good thing.

All in all see past the downbeat tone and get to the heart of a completely irrelevant man who is not afraid to show it.

It is an extremely difficult film to watch, particularly as it targets the innermost core of all of our lives. But ultimately it is a very beautiful and deeply moving film. Any person who finds it cynical I have to say that they must have greatly missed the point of the film's entire message. For those who actually watch the film, they will see that the way the issues are dealt with is absolutely necessary, and the outcome is ultimately uplifting. Sure, it's very hard to watch, a difficult subject matter and even brutal. Yet it's extremely relevant to society and everybody. It shows the peak of what world cinema is doing at the moment (I will not restrict that term to just France) and everyone should try to see it. I will say that it is best to go in with a clear head without being swayed by conflicting views, and just let the film work for you.

The book on which this movie is based was excellent; it took a while to come to grips with Houellebecq's unconventional style but once I understood the mood behind the writing I was completely drawn into the author's world of sadness. In fact, no other book has affected me so much. This is not necessarily a good thing - it elucidated my own personal struggle and has made the futility of my own struggle harder to accept. Houellebecq's insights are masterfully captured by Harel and the hero's apathy and indifference to a world which has rejected him is perfectly portrayed. This is a movie which reveals today's society for the lowly male in all its horror. Hopefully, things will change in the future but for the present we have to accept the rat-race as shown in this movie. It's probably best that Harel or Houellebecq do not create a work of genius like this again. One is enough for any man.