Clare Denis’ Silver Bear winning directorial film was a confronting examination into the life of a messy, complicated woman and the destructive relationships she leaves behind as Denis uncompromisingly - and at times uncomfortably - explored the not often depicted truths of female (sexual) desires and wants. And all that was brought to unflinching life by the incomparable Juliette Binoche. Every glance, wince, subtle facial twitch was captured by Denis and together they brought to life this woman which was so human and so real in her complications that us, as the audience, have to engage with her and our own feelings towards her decisions and actions. Further, given the pandemic nature of the film, Denis definitely needed an actress of Binoche’s caliber to really act through a face mask.
That being say, her co-star, in this essentially two-hander, Vincent Lindon, more than held his own against Binoche. Their scenes together were at times tender and loving, and at times horrifyingly scary. They depicted a relationship that felt true and three-dimensional, and not one painted with the brush of Hollywood or Netflix (read: mainstream entertainment). There were nuances and as uncomfortable as they were, they were more reflective of real life.
This nearly 2 hours film, although not for everybody, was still worth a watch for its directing, its acting and its authentic storytelling and POV.
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