Incroyable mais vrai

"INCREDIBLE BUT TRUE commences with an intriguing question mark hanging over audience's heads, only when the answer is revealed (in a two-fold step implemented through slightly confusing montages), the story goes less fantastic than it promises, the immemorial obsession of a woman gets her youth back (so she can be a model, no less) is tiring and its 'skin deep' revelation also feels too facile. The ensuing marital discord never reaches its boiling point, and the entire third act is composed of dialogue-less, fast-forward, rapidly spliced shots that condense years of story into one predictable combo, it seems Dupieux himself has lost patience to the banality of the script and just wanted to reach the finish line as quickly as possible."

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One thing I've learned from Quentin Dupieux's films, is it's best to go into them totally cold. I knew nothing of Incredible But True, other than it was a Dipeoux creation, and that Arrow Video saw fit to give it a proper Blu-ray release. That's enough for me, knowing his movies carry a totally left-field level of bizarre intrigue. The first movie of his that I saw was Rubber, and I knew I had to see a movie about a killer tire, but at the same time, I would have liked to have known less! And it was still full of WTF surprises, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

Ultimately, Incredible But True is about two couples drifting apart... under Dupieux's trademark fantastical plot elements. Of which... I can't go into. One circumstance is particularly hilarious, yet both situations, though surreal, are steeped in the reality of the human condition. This movie has elements of comedy, drama, sci-fi, and fantasy, leaning heavily on all of them, at times. Dialogue is particularly strong, which is something I always enjoy (spoken French, subtitled). Strong performances from all four main actors (oh yeah, the realtor as well), apparently very well-known in France.

The one complaint I have of this film is the final act. I'm not sure why Dupieux leans on brevity in his films. I get that (possibly) he's trying the audience's patience on (possibly) absurd gimmicks. I don't know if he actually feels that way, but I really felt the final act was needlessly carried out in a narrative shorthand. It's a (very) long montage that plays out what happens to the four main characters, and I honestly thought he could've fleshed out this portion of the film properly, to go from an abbreviated 75-minute running time, to a full-length 90-95 minute proper film. Though it concludes on both hands amusingly and poignantly (...and bizarrely), I couldn't help but feel cheated. I felt like I was dropped off a cliff when the credits came up, and had to immediately reevaluate. Not that there was a cliffhanger, or he didn't follow the story through, but you're left with an extended rapid-fire montage that abruptly ends, to process.

I would still highly recommend Incredible But True, as this filmmaker is a true original, with intriguingly out-there ideas, and a proficiency for crackling dialogue. I just disagreed with what he did with the concluding portion of the plot, leaving me a little baffled (and when I should actually be baffled by his oddball concepts!).

Quentin Dupieux - I assume you have heard from him. Even better if you have seen a movie or two he has done. If not - well you are in for a treat. A treat that you might like - you hopefully like that is. It is tough to describe or talk about the story when it comes to his movies. Still this is one of the ones that I guess you could say makes sense.

Sense if you are open to the supernatural other dimensions and time travel. Sounds like a lot - maybe I packed more in there than needed ... but one thing is for sure: you have to be open minded. Even more open minded than the husband. But way less than his wife ... or at least less enthusiastic that is.

Japanese inventions, ladders to "infinity" and more crazy stuff can be found here. And all is more or less accepted as part of the world the character live in. Really good acting and shorter than 80 minutes this is a delight to say the least.

The myth of eternal youth as seen by Quentin Dupieux. Original and quite funny, and also a little sad since eternal youth is a myth. With excellent performers, in particular Alain Chabat, Lea Drucker, Benoît Magimel and Anaïs Demoustier.

If you have watched other Quentin's Dupieux movies, you know what to expect. This is another comedy/drama/fantasy movie, surreal, bizarre, funny and weird. His movies are like a Parallel World, it's looking like ours, but it's not.

This movie is more coherent than his previous ones, there are some understandable messages here. It's a satire of modern way of living/of our shallow ambitions. Viewer gets what Dupieux try to say. Vanity is an unseen enemy of our happiness.

This is a better movie than Le daim (2019), better than WRONG (2012), a little bit worse than REALITY (2014).

I can't rate it higher because it didn't amaze me. It's clever, not brilliant. Enjoyable, not exciting. You will not think about this movie after you watch it, just like almost every other movie of him. In any case, if you haven't heard of this director, and you find it interesting as it was described, watch it.