He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (2002)

Awesome movie!!!

This is one of my favorite movies! I love the twisted plot, the flow of the movie, the simplicity of the scenes that make the unusual situation.. even more unusual. There's nothing to take out or add; I can watch it twice in the same day! September 17, 2008

The dark side of Amelie

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

À la folie... pas du tout (2002) aka He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not was written/ directed by Laetitia Colombani and starred Audrey Tautou. It was made right after 'Amelie' and it looks like 'Amelie', especially in the opening scenes on the beautiful and colorful streets of Bordeaux that prepare a viewer for the light romantic story. Young and pretty Art student Angelique (Audrey Tautou) seems to have found her fabulous destiny and the love of her life in Laic, a cardiologist (Samuel Le Bihan) who seems to be as much in love with her as she is with him. But is he? And what about his wife who is pregnant with their first child? Step by step, the film takes an interesting turn and becomes a story rather dark and disturbing, told from different perspectives, Rashomon - style. What started as a light and sweet romantic comedy, very successfully turned into a well made thriller. The way the young writer/director presented and contrasted two points of view at the same events, is remarkable. We all know from Geometry classes that parallel lines never cross, at least in Euclid's Geometry they don't but sometimes when you look at the lines in space from certain POV, it looks like they cross - I kept thinking about it while watching He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not which I highly recommend. Audrey Tautou was wonderful - without giving too much out, I just say that she played a character that I found deeper, darker, and more interesting than Amelie, the dark side of Amelie.

March 6, 2008

LAETITIA COLOMBANI, OPUS 1

***1/2 2002. Co-written and directed by Laetitia Colombani. How better talk about this film without giving away its plot than to describe it as a mix of Adrian Lyne's Fatal Attraction (Special Collector's Edition) and Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon - Criterion Collection. One can only regret that Samuel Le Bihan's performance is not as good as Audrey Tautou's. Too bad also that the director hasn't had the opportunity yet to give us another film. February 24, 2008

À la folie. . . pas du tout~

I absolutely fell in love with this film upon an initial viewing. Since then, it has become a favorite of mine as well as a favorite of French students. They always insist on finishing the film. This is a nice break from all the dreck turned out by Hollywood today. The film possesses, as several have mentioned, a very Hitchcock aura and is sure to keep viewers interested. If you enjoy straightforward, bare-bones films, you will not enjoy this piece. It's truly French cinema at its best! February 21, 2008

From Sunny and Happy to Suspencefull and Thrilling

Having just seen this Film last night, it left such an impression on me that I just had to write a review today.

"À la folie... pas du tout", American title: "He loves me, He loves me not" is a film that starts happy, romantic, sunny, delightful and after a while starts to grow to a suspenceful, heavy, even dark, thriller. I will write the next part of my review in a way that I won't spoil the story or any of it's surprising elements, you just have to see those for yourself:
Audrey Tautou plays Angélique, an art student who we find out has a relationship with a married heartdoctor called Loïc, who is in a divorce with his wife. She is madly in love and can't stop smiling. But then after a few times of Loïc not showing up at dates, meetings and a planned trip abroad with her, she doesn't understand it anymore: She knows he loves her, Why isn't he showing up??

The film itself is a great surprise and I was blown away by how the story is told and how it slowly unrevels. The way the film is shifting from one situation to another is well done and gives the film a nice and solid look. It is all very colorful and well edited. Also the music fits the film and brings a strong atmosphere to live.
Audrey Tautou shows that she is a great actress and can play different roles perfectly. She is totally believable and acts convincing. Samuel Le Bihan as Loïc was also a fine casting choice. He fits the role magnificently and plays the doctor in an also convincing way. You will feel for the characters.

What can I say, just see this film. It is surely one of the most surprising films I have ever seen. It's absorbing. It is a strong story that left me breathless and will give you another look at those magical eyes of Audrey Tautou.
Brilliant film. Prepare to experience it. July 29, 2007

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