Tags
2000's, Audrey Tautou, Foreign Language Film, He Loves Me He Loves Me Not, Isabelle Carré, Laetitia Colombani, Psychological Thriller, Romance, Samuel Le Bihan
Film Title
He Love Me, He Loves Me Not
Director
Laetitia Colombani
Starring
- Audrey Tautou as Angélique
- Samuel Le Bihan as Dr. Loïc Le Garrec
- Isabelle Carré as Rachel
The phrase goes that there are always two sides to every story. In Laetitia Colombani’s He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not this is certainly the case. Presenting two sides to the ‘relationship’ between a young art student and a cardiologist, it is strange, bewitching and creepy. Starring Audrey Tautou in a role very different from that of Amelie and crisscrossing genres, it will most certainly leave you wondering about certain things when it finishes.
Angélique is a young, sprightly art student who is passionate about her work. Her pixie like smile covers the opening frames of the movie as she purchases a single rose for her beloved. The man in question is Dr. Loïc Le Garrec, a handsome cardiologist who happens to be married. Angélique believes he will leave his wife to be with her, but events change when Loïc’s wife Rachel becomes pregnant. Her usual happy and sweet self soon gives way to a descent into self-destruction as her pining is to no avail. It is precisely at this moment that Colombani uses an ingenious technique, she rewinds the film. This time the events are seen from the perspective of Loïc, and this time events that appeared innocuous in the first section take on a shocking new meaning as Angélique is this time revealed to be not as innocent as her lily-white persona radiates and that her love for him may in fact just be obsession. What started as a seemingly glossy romance and drama soon becomes a chilling, psychological thriller as twists and turns, shifts in perspective and a haunting score pull the rug from underneath you and leaves you questioning what happened before .
By showing us two perspectives, Colombani has crafted a tightly coiled film that at first lulls you into a false sense of security and then springs some shocking truths upon us. And although there may be some that may have guessed that there is something amiss in the relationship between the two, it shouldn’t detract from the overall jaw-dropping induced by the flashback to another side of events. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not may have it’s fair share of occasional clichés and uninspired moments, but Colombani manages to make these few whilst crafting this chilling thriller. When the film begins, you may be forgiven for thinking it is just another sweet romance and then a drama about a wronged women. But once the switch in viewpoints changes, the gears of a thriller fall into place and the uncertainty regarding Angélique and her actions. Perhaps the biggest draw of the film is the casting of Audrey Tautou in the role of Angélique. Best known for her elfin charm and wide-eyed beauty, Tautou utilises these features to excellent effect by masking the darker side of her character behind this and making her all the more dangerous and ambiguous as a result of her disarming charm. It is Tautou who fixes the attention and after seeing this film, you may never see her as just the girl from Amelie ever again. Samuel Le Bihan is suitably handsome and intelligent as the unsuspecting Loïc , who becomes more paranoid as a result of the pining and ambiguous fixation of Angélique. In a supporting role, Isabelle Carré is excellently frightened by the presence of another person slowly tearing her husband apart. The haunting sound of a piano on the score adds a level of menace to the fixation and obsession on show.
Shrewd, chilling and deftly told from differing perspectives, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not is creepy viewing as the various shocks arrive unexpected. Boasting a startling performance from Audrey Tautou, it is a film that will floor you as well as chill you.
alexraphael said:
What an intriguing sounding film.
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vinnieh said:
Yeah it certainly is, when I first heard of the film I wasn’t sure, but it worked pretty well for me.
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alexraphael said:
Did you see Lovelace? Has a similar sort of device.
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vinnieh said:
No I haven’t seen Lovelace yet.
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coolone160 said:
Nice review! I liked Audrey Tautou’s performance in Amélie as she was outstanding in that film.She is indeed an capable actress.It must be worth a watch…………………
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, she is indeed a capable actress. This film really shows another side to her.
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shazza91321 said:
I love this actress, I think I will see this one. Thanks for the heads up!!!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I hope you do get to see it.
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literaryvittles said:
Oh wow, this sounds fantastic! And I loved Audrey in Amelie, so I bet I would enjoy this film as well. By the sound if it, it reminds me if “Sliding Doors, a movie with Gwyneth Paltrow that surprisingly, I enjoyed (generally I can’t stand her)
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, yeah the differing perspectives is a little reminiscent of Sliding Doors now you mention it.
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KittNoir said:
Brilliant film – shocking too
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, there were quite a few moments during the film when my jaw dropped.
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stephen1001 said:
I think I’m with the rest of the commenters who loved her in Amelie – glad to hear she’s got some good range!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I loved her in Amelie.
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sati said:
Awesome review, this is such an underrated gem! i loved the switch halfway through, very much like another excellent French film Love Crime
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Sati, very much an underrated film. I loved the switch , such an ingenious technique.
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shazza91321 said:
Ok so I watched this one at yout recommendation and realized that I had seen it already, but it was good watching it again as an older person. This was very good and should have got more hype when it was out in theaters.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I thought it should have gotten more attention upon its release.
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beetleypete said:
Looks like one for me mate. Just bought a used copy from Amazon for £1.40!
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Wow, that’s very reasonable. Hope you enjoy it Pete, it’s very underrated.
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beetleypete said:
It was only 20p! The rest is post and packing. I buy a lot of used films from Music Magpie via Amazon. Very reliable, and the films always play too. Amazon will refund if they don’t work, so it’s a no-brainer.
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vinnieh said:
It’s the best of both worlds then.
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