Cast: Vanessa Paradis, Kevin Parent, Hélène Florent
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Country: Canada | France
Genre: Drama | Romance
Official Trailer: Here
Editor’s Note: Café de Flore opens Friday
I do not know if anyone has ever done a count, but I’m confident that there are more films about love, or that feature love, than those that don’t. Nicholas Sparks’ novel adaptations have made sure of that in recent years, having cornered the market since the ever-popular The Notebook (2004) revitalised the love story genre. Even Titanic (1997), driven by the relationship between the two lead characters, is one of the top box office money earners. The theme certainly pulls in the crowds. Whether it is at the forefront of the story or a throwaway sub-plot (every Adam Sandler monstrosity has a female love interest), love is that universal emotion that we can all relate to. But by this point in time, what new angles (if any) can be taken on the theme? What else can be said about it?
Valée injects some much-needed freshness into familiar territory in Café de Flore, a beautiful telling of two separate plot threads that come together in a jaw dropping way.
Jean-Marc Valée injects some much-needed freshness into familiar territory in Café de Flore, a beautiful telling of two separate plot threads that come together in a jaw dropping way. Not only does he celebrate the primal feeling that brings people together, and at times tears them apart, but does so with an affection for music and spirituality.
In 1969, Jacqueline (Vanessa Paradis) is a single mother trying to make ends meet on a hairdresser’s wage while raising her young Down syndrome son Laurent (Marin Gerrier). It can be a struggle but she is fiercely protective of her boy. She dotes on him, showers him with support and affection, encourages him that he can achieve anything and sticks up for him when bullies at school target him. Their relationship is challenged when the boy grows close to a female schoolmate, forming a deep bond and the two become inseparable.
We go on a journey of highs and lows with these characters, and in doing so, it feels like a roller coaster that starts to resemble a daytime soap opera despite its consistently gorgeous imagery.
The 1960s love triangle begins to echo one between Montreal DJ Antoine (Kevin Parent), his ex-wife Carole (Héléne Florent) and new girlfriend Rose (Evelyne Brochu) in the present time. Antoine and Carole married young and raised a family. They thought they would be together forever until Antoine decides it is time to move on. Like Jacqueline, Carole feels edged out by feelings that her loved one has developed for another.
As we go back and forth in time, are exposed to flashbacks, dreams and visions from the different stories, it gets to the point where any possible link would seem a real stretch. Spending half the time waiting for that “aha!” moment when it all clicks into place can be distracting. We go on a journey of highs and lows with these characters, and in doing so, it feels like a roller coaster that starts to resemble a daytime soap opera despite its consistently gorgeous imagery. But that wait is worth it. When that link is finally revealed in the final third - or more suggested - Café de Flore reveals that it has something a little more interesting to say. We won’t have seen the last of love themed films, but Café de Flore will tide us over until another gifted filmmaker can rustle up some new thought provoking ideas on the topic.
[notification type=”star”]80/100 ~ GREAT. Café de Flore reveals that it has something a little more interesting to say. We won’t have seen the last of love themed films, but Café de Flore will tide us over until another gifted filmmaker can rustle up some new thought provoking ideas on the topic.[/notification]
