2 Autumns 3 Winters (orig. 2 Automnes 3 Hivers) [2013]

MPAA (UR would be PG-13)  Fr. Dennis (3 stars)

IMDb listing
Allociné.fr listing*

LeParisien (H. Lizé) review*
Critikat (C. Graminiès) review*
Libération (J. Gester) review*
LaCroix (S. Betbeder) review*

2 Autumns 3 Winters (orig. 2 Automnes 3 Hivers) [2013] [IMDb] [AC.Fr]* (written and directed by  Sébastien Betbeder [IMDb] [AC.Fr]*) is a very uncomplicated French "indie" comedy that played recently at the Gene Siskel Film Center here in Chicago.  The film's about four very, very average young Parisians, made in the style of "reality TV."  Hence we get to hear and see the film's very, very average main protagonists -- Arman (played by Vincent Macaigne [IMDb] [AC.Fr]*), Amélie (played by Maud Wyler [IMDb] [AC.Fr]*), Benjamin (played by Bastien Bouillon [IMDb] [AC.Fr]*) and Katia (played by Audrey Bastien [IMDb] [AC.Fr]*)-- sharing (often in interview format, after the fact...) with excruciating seriousness their exact thoughts and feelings (as they remember them) at various "key" points in this very, very, very mundane story.

IMHO it works, it's funny and serves to prove that "an unexamined life" need not be an altogether bad thing ;-).

My favorite character in the film is Benjamin's "New Agey" sister Lucie (played by Pauline Etienne [IMDb] [AC.Fr]*) who's so into herself that she won't even pick-up the (cell)phone to call her brother.  Instead, she tries to communicate with him "telepathically."  So every so often, she's pictured fading into (and out of ...)  Benjamin's consciousness (the connection's _rarely_ particularly good...) with a message that's generally _not_ particularly important ;-).

Probably the most irritating plot point in the film (though it _could_ actually be intentional) is that Amélie at one point shares with viewers (but not with Arman ...) that she's pregnant (with his child) and after not altogether a great deal of reflection (but that which she does, she shares with the viewers...) goes and gets an abortion. 

When Arman eventually finds out (from Amélie, though after the fact...), despite his being quite aware that he's not exactly a "genetic masterpiece," he appears quite hurt.  So the two "break-up."

One wonders then ... will there be a sequel? ;-)


* Foreign language webpages are most easily translated using Google's Chrome Browser. 

<< NOTE - Do you like what you've been reading here?  If you do then consider giving a small donation to this Blog (sugg. $6 _non-recurring_) _every so often_ to continue/further its operation.  To donate just CLICK HERE.  Thank you! :-) >>