Friday 6 April 2012

Jeux D' Enfants aka Love me if You Dare

Rating: 8.6/10

"Cap ou pas cap?" - "Game or no game?"

This film for me is the ultimate romantic film of the last decade. It was after all made by the experts of romantic love...the French!

As the poster of the film also suggests this film is wickedly delicious. But let's take things one by one shall we? First of all the script. The wonderfully written script of writer/director Yann Samuell who did wonders in his creation of the two main characters. A rather complicated plot to follow but with much wit, raw honesty, humour and a lot of love in it, he poured all of his magic into the creation of two very complex but also unique contemporary characters that would overcome most anything human to be together. Based mostly on the allegoric themes, the dialogue is among the wittiest most intellectually challenging dialogues I have ever come across in a romantic comedy. Having had my share of rom-coms, this one stands out from the lot by far.

Of course it all comes down to the two main protagonists who bring to life these two powerful characters; Julien and Sophie. This for me is the ultimate representation of romantic love and cruelty all rolled into one. Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard, who incidentally nowadays are rumoured to be a couple in real life, have done a superb job by performing these two characters. Albeit unknown till then to the wide international public, these two young and fresh actors from France, grasp these two characters with energy, passion and magic and give their simply best in making sure the audience is entangled with them from the very beginning of their introduction. Whether you love or hate them, whether you understand their motives, their actions or even their dialogue it pays of little consequence, as at the end they make you fall desperately and hopelessly in love with their story. Yes, it is that sweet and transcendental.

The musical soundtrack in the film pays homage to the beloved French music legend Edith Piaf (who incidentally is later on performed in La Mome by Cotillard herself). Alongside the visual imagery, which is full of allusions and childlike references, the direction takes you on a wonderful unexpected  and quite unconventional romantic journey of two of the most sadistic romantic couple to have been written for the screen. Albeit the cruelty and the inexplicability of the two character's motives of their actions, this is one of the most powerful and match-made on-screen couples of the last two decades.

Without giving further too much away of the story, below is these tale of these two "star-crossed" lovers:"As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another's pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another." (www.imdb.com)

This is not a film simply for the chick flick or rom-com lovers. It is a film for film lovers in general, as it holds many wonderful visual and performing moments. Good to watch it with loved ones (not just your other half), 'cause above all the thing that counts the most is love.

Happy screening everyone!




Jeux D'Enfants (2003)

4 comments:

  1. επροτείναν μου το τζαι είδα το... :)

    παρότι παρατραβημένο το σενάριο σε κάποια σημεία (για μένα), το πόσο ωραία παρουσιάζει κάποιες αλήθκειες, πόσο ρομαντικό, τζαι το πόσα είμαστε διαθετειμένοι να θυσιάσουμε για την αγάπη, κάμνει την ταινία πολλά δυνατή...

    που τες ταινίες που πρέπει να δει κάποιος... :)

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  2. @Nonis: Ναι ακριβώς έτσι νιώθω τζιαι εγώ για τούντη ταινία. Εν ανεχτό το παρατράβημα λόγω τζιαι του πόσο ωραόα δια την ιστορία τζιαι το πόσο καλά παίζουν οι πρωταγωνιστές. Είναι όντως a must-see film!! :)

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  3. αγαπημένη ταινία :-)

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  4. Θα συμφωνησω. Και παρ οτι καποιοι μπορει να το πουν ελαφρο, πιστευω οτι πολυ βαθυτερα νοηματα.
    Η Μαριον παιζει παρα πολυ καλα και το κοκκινο φορεμα της παει γαντι!

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