Arrête avec tes mensonges

I agree the English translation (subtitles) are not perfect and are not as good as the book. The French dialogue is actually better. That said, as someone who played one of those roles in real life, and as someone with far too many friends from that era/generation who also played out one of those roles in their lives, this movie is poignant, painful, and sad, as well as happy, hopeful and healing. I think it is an awesome movie that made me laugh and cry as I could so easily draw parallels to my own life. I highly recommend it to guys who grew up in that time, as well as to younger guys who may not understand what many of us went through back then.

For any gay man who married a woman, or woman who married a gay man (feel free to swap out genders as applicable), this movie could help understanding. It's emotional and beautifully acted and directed.

Obviously, this movie means a lot to me and I truly love it. It is very near the top (if not THE top) of my list of all time favorite movies, and I cannot wait until it is available for purchase in the US so I can add it to my permanent collection!

Please see this movie and enjoy it!

This review does NOT contain spoilers.

I was able to see this beautiful film at the Alliance Française French Film Festival in Australia. Based on the book "Arrête avec tes Mensonges," it was exceptional in so many ways. It was one of those films that leave the audience lingering afterwards to discuss it with complete strangers. For me it was the best film in the entire film festival.

The film was magical on so many levels, from the first scene to the last. The storyline, scenery, set locations, dialogue, acting, film editing, and striking soundtrack all worked together to create something very special. The performance from every actor was impressive. Two actors in particular stood out. Guilaine Londez, delivered a perfect performance in the finest detail. The real stunner was Victor Belmondo who lit up every scene he was in. His performance was tender, human and flawless. An amazing actor.

This movie explores the special significance of first love, coming of age, and the memories they create that last a lifetime. It was also a wonderful example of how we relate to another person who was unknown to us yet deeply loved the same person that we ourselves have loved. The common ground that two people have when they have both independently loved a third is thoughtfully explored.

If you love beautiful and deeply meaningful movies - this one should not be missed. It is really something special. Regardless of who or what you are, this film will stir up emotions you had forgotten you even had. I highly recommend this rare and special film.

Writer Stéphane Belcourt (Guillaume de Tonquédoc) has been suffering from a bit of a creative block when he agrees to return to his childhood home to do a presentation for it's legendary cognac producer. Somewhat disinterested in the whole affair he is greeted by the effusive "Gaëlle" (an increasingly scene-stealing Guiliane Londez) who races around ferrying him from pillar to post in quite a frenetic fashion. Quite by chance, there are some visiting Americans at the vineyard and they are being guided by "Lucas" (Victor Belmondo). The latter man has a surname that triggers memories in the former and now we are taken on a parallel tracked story that illustrates forbidden (first) love from 1984, and offers a shot at redemption for both the younger and the older man. The story is gently paced and the acting - especially from Jérémy Gillet as the author in his younger years - is really quite potent. The story of bigotry and conformity - and the lifelong ramifications for all concerned of fear and shame is played out stylishly and set against a backdrop of conflicted history. A community that lives it's life largely as it makes it's luxury "elixir" - in a time honoured fashion - finds that perhaps the best from that time has now passed. As I watched, I couldn't help wonder just how many people actually lived their lives like this - stuck with an opportunity-free rural existence amongst a gene pool of relationships that was never going to satisfy those more creative, imaginative and , of course, gay who emerged! This is well worth a watch - and Belmondo is a dead ringer for his grand-father too!

A successful French writer reluctantly accepts an invitation to pay an official visit to a small town where he spent his youth and where he fell in love for the first time. The more sour he looks about the whole experience, the more we understand that his love story back then was an unhappy one, and little by little we are given more details about what happened and why. This gradual narration travels back and forth in time and reveals very personal secrets of the characters, and before long we are introduced to what it all revolves around: shame. We are slowly shown how it presents itself inside and outside of a person, how it eats, erodes a person unmistakably destroying their entire life. We are also reminded that shame is an internal feeling but caused by external factors, which gives a lot of food for thought in the context of this film.

A wonderful screen adaptation of a novel. A delicate yet confident description of shame and its horrible consequences. Therapeutic. Eye-opening. Heart-warming.

I liked the novel and its adaptation was more than a beautiful surprise. First , because the book offers raisons of non adaptation. It seems the story of intense youth , very personal for viewer , who can be only discovered, page by page , as personal in some measure.

But the film has the gift to represent more than an inspired adaptation.

First, it is the merit of actors, offering a profound seductive experience.

Second, the virtue of script.

Not the last, the feeling of dialogue and precise definition of states , vulnerability.

A famous writer returns to the homeplace. The son of his love from high school is one of his hosts , in kind way. And the past, near the missing periods are one.

In short , a film for who is very easy - and fair to just grateful.