Na Cama com Victoria

I just watched Victoria on a pre-release exclusive showing, and I greatly enjoyed it. Virginie has a great talent for comedies, and romantic comedies, and this movie is no exception. However, Victoria a parallel, satiric, deeper layer beside the general comedy stream. However, it keeps it's promise to be a light movie for a weekend night to have fun. I enjoyed the occasional funny moments, too.

After the movie Virgine came on stage for a question and answer session. I learned that the movie has several elements of near-improvisation, as the actors had the liberty to live their roles fully and didn't had to go word by word by scripts, they had freedom to go further with interpretation when they felt to.

All in all, if you like French comedies, and you like Virginie Efira, you will enjoy Victoria a lot.

In Bed with Victoria directed by Justine Triet has much to offer in a complex plot of misadventures by lead Virginie Efira. She takes in a young man whom she defended.He is an aupair and takes over her house and children. He then takes over her case. She doesn't know she loves him. He leaves after she wins her case. You will have to watch the film to see what happens. It is funny. Virginie goes to a shrink, a doctor, an acupuncturist, a tarot card reader, one night stands, and a client to find out why she is not happy. Even one of her young daughters rubs her back and says I love you while she cries. Am I too masculine in bed she asks Vincent LaCoste. The dalmatian dog hates anyone who gets near his female owner, and this becomes part of a very funny divorce case. There is also a big monkey. I like the true search for happiness. She wants more than to be an attorney.

Maybe because I am a male, I found this movie appealing due to the lead role. I think Virginie Efira can act, and does so very well. Unlike some major stars, it seems to me that she is making a real effort to act this role. For IMDB to list "Little imagination and not a single laugh" as the top review made me write this counter-review.

As a non-French speaker, I did struggle with the subtitles as there is a lot of dialogue (not all subtitled, thank goodness). And the plot is "clunky", I would say: the on-again, off-again relationship of the defendant, the vindictiveness of the ex, the role of the young man, for example.

Yet, like most (all?) French comedies, it does have its charms. The sets and costumes help. But mainly, the exploration of a career-oriented woman who thinks only of her career and casts her lovers and friends aside in its pursuit, to the detriment of her happiness. OK, we have seen this before (and will again) and probably done better. But being drawn in by Efira is quite satisfying.

No pun intended - this is actually the title this was streaming under. And made it easier to find. Try to search for a movie called Victoria! This won't be the first that pops up (if that is deserved or not, I'll let you decide). This is about a woman who has not found herself - but also has to deal with a lot of ... well outside interference (this is also a wrestling term, but you get what I mean I assume).

Acting is really good - the movie makes sense. Even though one major side character (although I reckon you could see him as a major character) has weird motivations ... on the other hand can you really blame him? Same goes for the pair that is responsible for some ups and downs she has to go through. Not sure how the justice system works, but some things seem unfair too ... on the other hand, life never is entirely fair so there is that ... anyway, a decent movie overall with good performances.

I literally watched it at 1.5x speed and I still want my hour back. That's how low-paced this film is. It's not a comedy, neither is it drama. Uninteresting story, definitely not entertaining. Waste of time.