REGRETS

France, 2009, 104 minutes, Colour.
Yvan Attal, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Arly Jover, Philippe Katerine.
Directed by Cedric Kahn.

Regrets is a complex drama about relationships, betrayal, obsessions.

The film is written and directed by Cedric Kahn, actor and director.

The strength of the film is in the performances of the leads, Yvan Atall as an architect, previously in a relationship with Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, only for her to break the relationship and disappear. Years later, she returns, married, with a child and a great deal of experience. Yet, she is still able to love Atall. He is also married but is jolted when he sees his love again, becomes more and more obsessed, possessive, putting pressure on her and her husband.

The film also shows the respective spouses and the effect of the relationships and the consequences of the renewal of the affair.

Perhaps not as powerful as many of the French films with the same themes but strong, especially because of the actors.

1. A French relationship film? Love, failure, betrayal? Love over the years? The tone of the title?

2. The French settings, life in the town, the house, the countryside? Contrasting with the city, offices, workshops? The musical score by Philip Glass?

3. The focus on Mathieu, his age, background, successful architect, working with his partner, hopes, life at home, his mother being ill?

4. The focus on Mathieu, his past, the relationship with Maya, the break and her decision, not informing him? Africa, her daughter and the bond with her daughter? Her marriage, her continued life, returning to France? Seeing Mathieu in the street?

5. The effect of the street encounter on each of them, emotions, memories, love, leading to betrayal?

6. Maya, her husband, the interest in wine and vines, Mathieu welcome in the house? The effect of the relationship, the deceit? Responding to Mathieu’s obsession? His being consumed, not being able to think, erratic behaviour? Maya’s decision to leave? Going overseas, to Chile? Later, the failure of her marriage and the enterprise?

7. Mathieu, his mother, tensions with his partner, his being riddled with obsession, Maya’s leaving? His mother’s death? The aftermath of this encounter? Continuing as an architect.

8. The episode with his brother, the tension between them, the mother’s death, the possibility of selling the house, the brothers need for money, the clashes?

9. Mathieu’s partner, her work, deceived by Mathieu, the competition, entering his modern building plan?

10. The years passing, the possibility of overcoming the love, the regrets? Meeting again? Declarations of love? A future?