Displaying items by tag: Francois Civil

BEATING HEARTS/ L'AMOUR OUF

France, 2024, 166 minutes, Colour.

Adele Exarchopoulos, François Civil, Malik Frikah, Mallory Wanecque, Alain Chabat, Benoit Poelvoorde, Vincent Lacoste, Anthony Bajon, Elodie Bouchez.

Directed by Gilles Lelouche.

Phew Love.

An unexpected beginning to a review. However, Google tells us that this is the English translation for the French title, Amour Ouf. The English title of Beating Hearts sounds more respectable, rather highlighting the nature of the love between a young man who is afflicted with the name, often mocked, of Clotaire, and Jacqueline, always called Jackie, who live in an industrial city in France.

This is a very long film, 2 ¾ hours, immersing the audience in the atmosphere of the town, the neighbourhoods, factories, the port, crowded homes, violence in schools, the 1970s and 1980s.

The first half of the film introduces us to these two central characters, very striking performances from Malik Frikah as Clotaire and Mallory Wanecaue as Jackie. Even at home, when very young, Clotaire imposes himself on everyone around him, his impatient factory working father, his mother, the siblings. Jackie, on the other hand, has lost her mother in a sudden car crash, lives with her earnest father who wants only the best for her. While Clotaire throws his weight around at school, tough with fists, tough with language, he is attracted to the young girl and she to him, some very romantic sequences, dancing, comfortable together, beating hearts.

Music is a very important part of the film, the songs of the period playing throughout the whole film, popular, memories for audiences, significant lyrics.

But, this is also a crime story, Clotaire and his friends, gradually getting caught up in a world of drug dealing, rivalries, gangs, violence, bosses appreciating Clotaire’s carefree and violent talents. Many French writers and directors enjoy making action crime films. Director, Gilles Lelouche, prominent star in French cinema for many decades, has appeared in several of these films and energises the action here in an elaborate heist sequence during the protest by sacked workers at the port, an eruption of violence and Clotaire going to prison.

As something of a balance to Clotaire’s story, there is a focus on the interaction between Jackie and her father, his constant concern for her, the ups and downs of her crises, reacting against his protection but always going back to him for support, love and advice.

The second half of the film has Jackie, not allowed to visit clutter in prison, encountering an up-and-coming businessman, Jeffrey (Vincent Lacoste) fending him off, marrying him, yet, we might say, her heart definitely not beating for him. And then Clotaire gets out of prison. He seems subdued, and for a moment, we hope that his life has changed. But, there is the issue of taking a fall for others and seeds of revenge kindled.

The adult Clotaire and Jackie are played by starts Adele Exarchopoulos and Francois Civil.

So, after such a long time sharing the beating hearts of Clotaire and Jackie, how can it possibly end? As with the words of the French title, Phew Love.

1. The tone of the original title, Phew Love, a mad love? The contrast with the serious intensity of the French title?
2. The impact of the film as a whole, the long running time, the storytelling over decades? The social context, the romance, crime and punishment? The skill of the director and his experience in acting?
3. The end of the 20^th century, the final decades? Friends and its issues? The northern town, industrial, the port? The poorer neighbourhoods? Schools? Families? Homes? Deals, criminality? Drugs? Bosses, gangs and rivalries?
4. The focus on Clotaire, within the family, his dominance of the of the children, his personality, clashes with his father, the role of his mother? Going up, the team, dominant, extroverted, violent, clashes with students, his range of friends, the going together, the criminal side, the gangs, the encounter with the bosses, doing deals, confronting bosses, the violence, Clotaire’s standing up to them, ingratiating himself, becoming part of the gang, proving himself to the boss and his liking him, the boss’s son?
5. The plan for the big heist, the background of the industry, the port, the sacking of the workers, including Clotaire’s father, the consequences? The decision for the robbery during the protest at the port? The group, interactions, the plan, the containers, the trucks, the robbery? The security guards, the gun, the boss’s son shooting the guard dead? Clotaire trying to revive him? The escape? The police? The arrests?
6. Clotaire, the implications that he was the murderer, his lawyer, ineffectual, his becoming the victim? 10 years imprisonment?
7. The romance story, introduction to Jackie, the death of her mother, her relationship with her father, her studies, competence, intrigued by Clotaire sequences together, the dancing, romance, her highly emotional involvement, ups and downs emotionally, her father, his character, expectations, trying to help his daughter, her variety of moods? Clotaire and his imprisonment? His not allowing her to visit him?
8. The 10 years passing, the effect on Clotaire, seemingly calm, out of prison, with his family again, the support of his mother, relationship with his brother? Finding his black friend again? And his friend being killed? His looking for Jackie, the visit to her father, the father protecting his daughter? The possibilities for clarity, a different life?
9. The seeds of revenge, going to see the boss, his age, decline, explanations of his shielding his son, letting Clotaire take all the blame? The visit of the son, his prosperity, arrogance, drug deals, the club? Clotaire and his friends, the confrontation with the son, shootout?
10. Jackie’s story, not seeing Clotaire for 10 years, Jeffery, her work, slack, her offhanded manner with him, his response, proposal, the marriage? The tensions within the marriage, her pining for Clotaire, his travels, suspicions, confronting her?
11. The impact of the opening sequence, the older Clotaire, his gang, the raid, the confrontations, the shootout? This sequence occurring again, but with a different ending, Clotaire’s moving away?
12. Jackie, the phone, the confrontation with Geoffrey, Clotaire and Jeffrey, Jackie and her love?
13. The future, Clotaire and his vengeance of violence,, the relationship and Jackie?

THE THREE MUSKETEERS: PART 1, D’ARTAGNAN/ LES TROIS MOUSQUETTIERES, D’ARTAGNAN 

France, 2023, 121 minutes, Colour.

François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmai, Eva Green, Louis Garell, Vicki Krieps, Lyna Khoudri, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Eric Ruf.

Directed by Martin Bourboulon.

The novels by Dumas, pere et fils, excited 19^th-century readers – and were popular around the world. Audiences revelled in the stories of the Musketeers, of the Man in the Iron Mask, the Count of Monte Cristo.

And there have been many film versions, swashbuckling in the 1930s with the Ritz Brothers, the spectacular MGM treatment in 1948, Richard Lester’s several films, action with some comic touches, American productions in the 90s, the 2000s. And, now, a spectacular French version, no expenses spared. And, it was released in two parts.

The first part of the film focuses on D’Artagnan, his origins in Gascony, confidence, riding to Paris, brashness, duels and encountering the Musketeers themselves. But, he is eventually embraced by them, finally becoming a musketeer himself. He is played very genially by François Civil. And, there are French film veterans as the of the musketeers, Vincent Cassel as Athos, Romain Duris as Aramis, Pio Marmai, less prominent in the films but jovial, Porthos.

At the beginning of each of the film is there is quite some explanation of the political background, the 1627 setting, clashes between Catholics and Protestants, the king wanting peace. There is also the complication of the relationship of the Queen with the Duke of Buckingham, her giving him her necklace as a memento, the king demanding to see it, the expedition to England by Milady and the confrontation with D’Artagnan.

There is also the story of the lady in waiting, Constance, her devotion to the Queen, the recovery of the diamonds in time, and data falling in love with her.

The King is played by Louis Garell in a quite uncharacteristic rule. Vicki Krieps is the Queen.

It is one is introduced in the first film, played with suave intensity by Eva Green. In the first film, she falls from a cliff in England when confronted by D’Artagnan, She features in the beginning of the second part, links with Cardinal Richelieu, getting a written pardon from him, but then being captured, D’Artagnan confronting her, her stealing documents to indicate who is the traitor in the war. Then she disappears but returns, confronting Athos and the memories of her past, further intrigue, to the Duke of Buckingham, unmasked, escaping and pursued until the final confrontation in flames with D’Artagnan.

The second part highlights the Civil War, the siege of La Rochelle, the various factions, the staging of the battles, hand-to-hand fighting, the bombardment of the British ships.

There is pathos at the end of the film, Constance allowing Milady to escape but then a hood over her head, taken to be hanged, D’Artagnan intervening but unable to save her.

There is the possibility for the story to be continued as Athos, returning home, finds one of Milady’s earing is in her son’s bed…

1. The long popularity of the Dumas’ novels, the many film and television versions? 21^st-century version? A French interpretation? The contrast with so many of the Hollywood versions?
2. 1627, initial explanations, Louis XIII, religious wars, power, Cardinal Richelieu, Protestants, factions? Links with Britain?
3. The visuals of the film, costumes and decor, buildings, interiors and exteriors, vastness? Yet the ordinary parts of the city, dirty, crowded? The sumptuous court sequences, the Cathedral wedding? Atmosphere of the period? The musical score?
4. Audience knowledge of the Three Musketeers, the characters, their stories? Athos and his Protestant background, older? Aramis and his ecclesiastical connections? Porthos as jovial? The younger D’Artagnan, his origins, proving himself, becoming a musketeer? All for one and one for all?
5. The title of part one, D’Artagnan? Age, appearance, his father’s background, his ambitions, looks, riding the horse? Arrival in Paris, over-eager, challenging the three men, the duels? Moving, the fights, the Three Musketeers? The episode with the coach, the Countess, the message, the killings, the fights? The presence of Milady? Beginning of further intrigues?
6. D’Artagnan, the encounter with Constance, the attraction, the offer of lodging, her work at home, her presence in the court, with the Queen? D’Artagnan’s attraction, falling in love? His becoming a go-between? Constance, her personality, the court, fending off D’Artagnan? The issue of the necklace?
7. The King, status, personality, relationship with his brother, relationship with the Queen, her affair with the Duke of Buckingham, his suspicions, the advice of Cardinal Richelieu, his religious stances, the urge to war against the Protestants? His personal manner and behaviour?
8. Cardinal Richelieu here and his ambitions, his allies, bridges, aristocracy? Plot against the Queen? Milady and her writing notes, the death of the Countess, her taking her place, the meeting with D’Artagnan, his overhearing, her attack on him, his escape?
9. The jovial musketeers, D’Artagnan as a cadet, their admiring him? The situation with Athos, the dead woman, his being arrested, tried, Protestant, condemned to death?
10. The Queen, deceived by the note, the arrival of the Duke of Buckingham, the relationship, the memento of the necklace? The attack, the fights, the Duke and the Queen, his departure?
11. The King, suspicions about the necklace, wanting to see it? going to England, disguised the ball, with the Duke, the seduction, taking the necklace? D’Artagnan commission to go to England, at the ball, with the Duke, the pursuit of Milady, the chase along the cliffs of Dover? Her falling into the English Channel?
12. The tension, D’Artagnan returning, the Queen substituting a necklace, the demand of the King, Constance receiving D’Artagnan, the kiss, the necklace, the reaction of the king? Of Cardinal Richelieu?
13. The King’s brother, planning, the arranged marriage, the ceremony and the Cathedral? The Protestants, the release of Athos? Their being disguised as monks, the choir? The ceremony? The shot, Athos and the warning, the King’s life saved? The fighting, the arrests? The king deciding to go to war against the Protestants?
14. Athos and his being pardoned, D’Artagnan officially becoming a musketeer?
15. The sinister characters, overhearing, the violence, the attack on Constance?
16. The suspense and the film to be continued?

THE THREE MUSKETEERS: PART 2, MILADY LES TROIS MOUSQUETTIERES, MILADY 

France, 2023, 121 minutes, Colour.

François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, Pio Marmai, Eva Green, Louis Garell, Vicki Krieps, Lyna Khoudri, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Eric Ruf.

Directed by Martin Bourboulon.

The novels by Dumas, pere et fils, excited 19^th-century readers – and were popular around the world. Audiences revelled in the stories of the Musketeers, of the Man in the Iron Mask, the Count of Monte Cristo.

And there have been many film versions, swashbuckling in the 1930s with the Ritz Brothers, the spectacular MGM treatment in 1948, Richard Lester’s several films, action with some comic touches, American productions in the 90s, the 2000s. And, now, a spectacular French version, no expenses spared. And, it was released in two parts.

The first part of the film focuses on D’Artagnan, his origins in Gascony, confidence, riding to Paris, brashness, duels and encountering the Musketeers themselves. But, he is eventually embraced by them, finally becoming a musketeer himself. He is played very genially by François Civil. And, there are French film veterans as the of the musketeers, Vincent Cassel as Athos, Romain Duris as Aramis, Pio Marmai, less prominent in the films but jovial, Porthos.

At the beginning of each of the film is there is quite some explanation of the political background, the 1627 setting, clashes between Catholics and Protestants, the king wanting peace. There is also the complication of the relationship of the Queen with the Duke of Buckingham, her giving him her necklace as a memento, the king demanding to see it, the expedition to England by Milady and the confrontation with D’Artagnan.

There is also the story of the lady in waiting, Constance, her devotion to the Queen, the recovery of the diamonds in time, and data falling in love with her.

The King is played by Louis Garell in a quite uncharacteristic rule. Vicki Kireps is the Queen.

It is one is introduced in the first film, played with suave intensity by Eva Green. In the first film, she falls from a cliff in England when confronted by D’Artagnan, She features in the beginning of the second part, links with Cardinal Richelieu, getting a written pardon from him, but then being captured, D’Artagnan confronting her, her stealing documents to indicate who is the traitor in the war. Then she disappears but returns, confronting Athos and the memories of her past, further intrigue, to the Duke of Buckingham, unmasked, escaping and pursued until the final confrontation in flames with D’Artagnan.

The second part highlights the Civil War, the siege of La Rochelle, the various factions, the staging of the battles, hand-to-hand fighting, the bombardment of the British ships.

There is pathos at the end of the film, Constance allowing Milady to escape but then a hood over her head, taken to be hanged, D’Artagnan intervening but unable to save her.

There is the possibility for the story to be continued as Athos, returning home, finds one of Milady’s earing is in her son’s bed…

1. The long popularity of the Dumas’ novels, the many film and television versions? 21^st-century version? A French interpretation? The contrast with so many of the Hollywood versions?
2. 1627, initial explanations, Louis XIII, religious wars, power, Cardinal Richelieu, Protestants, factions? Links with Britain?
3. The visuals of the film, costumes and decor, buildings, interiors and exteriors, vastness? Yet the ordinary parts of the city, dirty, crowded? The sumptuous court sequences, the Cathedral wedding? Atmosphere of the period? The musical score?
4. Audience knowledge of the Three Musketeers, the characters, their stories? Athos and his Protestant background, older? Aramis and his ecclesiastical connections? Porthos as jovial? The younger D’Artagnan, his origins, proving himself, becoming a musketeer? All for one and one for all?
5. Continuation of the story? The focus on Milady? The continued story of D’Artagnan? Of the Musketeers? Of the King and the Queen? Of the religious wars?
6. Athos and his story of his wife, the betrayal, branding, her being hanged, his visit to his son, promise to return after the war? Audience awareness of Milady, the issue of the Queen’s diamonds, the confrontation with D’Artagnan, her relationship with Richelieu? Are being captured and imprisoned? The confrontation with D’Artagnan, his thinking she was Constance, the escape, the pursuit, her documents and the identity of the mastermind?
7. Contact with Richelieu, going to England, the confrontation with the Duke of Buckingham, Constance recognising her, her arrest? Constance coming to see her, unwilling to give her a knife, Constance in the change of clothes, her escape?
8. Athos finding out the truth, the confrontation with her, his love, her drawing the knife, the Musketeers arriving in time, Athos letting her go, D’Artagnan pursuing her, in the burning building, the final fight, her death?
9. The civil war situation, Protestants and Catholics, the king wanting peace, his brother leading the battle, thanking his brother, in action? Betrayal?
10. The battle sequences, the staging, La Rochelle, the battlements, the cannon, the British ships and their destruction? The hand-to-hand fighting?
11. The role of the Musketeers, the role of de Treville, involvement, the fighting, undercover, the betrayals?
12. The background story of Aramis, his sister, her pregnancy, going to confront the father, temptation for a duel, the cabin, his death, the presence of Porthos, going back to his sister, her place in the conference, tending the wounded, his wounds, falling in love with her? The happy ending? Aramis and his reaction, celebrating the wedding?
13. The various factions, Chalais and his betrayal, with milady, with Constance, the King’s brother killing him?
14. D’Artagnan, visiting the Queen, searching for Constance, the Queen and her relationship with the King, memories of Buckingham, sending Constance to him?
15. The trial, the entry of the Musketeers, the revelation of the truth, the pardon, the condemnation of his brother?
16. The story continuing – and Aramis finding Milady’s earing in his son’s room…?