Apenas uma Questão de Amor

It was interesting to read the stats that 6.3 million viewers saw this film when first aired in prime time on French public network. Shown on prime time, the public and critical response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

Well, I concur.

This is a most meticulously produced film that far transcends the television medium. Christian Faure's direction is excellent and the leading actors, Cyrille Thouvenin and Stephan Guerin-Tille, are superb.

I have no negative criticism of this work, and only hope it will have the widest possible showing in regular movie houses. Too good to let lie unseen, it took five years from its making in 2000 to be released on DVD. Hopefully, this is only the beginning. Good work can't be kept a secret, and this is certainly one of the best-ever made-for-TV films.

'Juste une question d'amour' is a small film made for French TV that is one of the most sensitive, unbiased examinations of how the 'coming out' of gay men impacts not only the one who bravely steps forward but also his friends both male and female and his family. So often films such as this fall under the title 'Queer Cinema' and that is as unfair to the audience as it is to the writer and director of the film. This film is meant for the general public and should it receive higher profile in publicity, many longstanding prejudices would at least have the chance to be questioned by both gays and straights.

Laurent (Cyrille Thouvenin) lives with his parents Jeanne (Danièle Denie) and Pierre (Idwig Stephane) behind the family Pharmacy. Laurent is secretly gay though he lives with his best girlfriend Carole (Caroline Veyt) who adores him and wholly accepts his sexuality and is content to serve as a 'front' for Laurent's closeted role with his parents. He is not doing well studying agriculture, primarily due to the fact the his close cousin Marc died recently and had been disowned by his aunt and uncle when he announced he was gay. Laurent can only see that he must keep his secret so that his parents (whom he loves deeply) will not be 'injured' by his admitting his sexuality. His marks in school are so poor that he is instructed to do an internship in field agriculture to raise his academic standing. His assigned tutor is Cédric (Stéphan Guérin-Tillié) who lives an openly gay life with his warmly understanding and loving mother Emma (Eva Darlan) in an idyllic garden setting that also serves as Cédric's agricultural research lab.

Though instantly attracted to each other, Laurent maintains his closeted life until Cédric reveals his affection: the two become happy, passionate lovers. All goes well until Cédric insists that Laurent be in an open relationship, a state that would demand that Laurent inform his parents of his preferences. Laurent, fearful that his parents would disown him as his cousin was treated, flees and it is only after Cédric's mother Emma, a woman who loves the fact that her son is in a healthy relationship and longs for Laurent to allow his parents to love him for who truly he is, takes it upon herself to confront Laurent's parents with the truth. The manner in which this initial trauma affects each of the characters forms the platform for the resolution of the story.

This is a brave film, very intelligent and sensitive and informative, and is made all the better by the excellent cast. Each actor gives characterizations that are completely credible and three-dimensional: none of the too familiar stereotypes are here. It is to the credit of director Christian Faure and his co-writer Annick Larboulette that JUST A QUESTION OF LOVE succeeds on every level. This is one of the most quietly powerful stories about same sex challenges to be addressed on the screen. Highly Recommended for ALL audiences. In French with English subtitles. Grady Harp, May 05

The most shocking thing about this French 'coming out' story is that it was made for television! In the States, this kind of film would turn out like an 'after school special' crossed with a movie of the week (with Jane Seymour as one of the mothers). But this is an incredibly intelligent film from start to finish. Beautifully scripted, carefully directed, perfectly cast and exquisitely performed. From the idyllic opening scene to the penultimate scene of familial healing, this is one film that defies stereotyping. The two leading men turn in sensitive, honest, riveting performances. The woman who play their mothers are also quite extraordinary. There is also a standout performance by the actress playing Laurent's best friend Carole. Whenever I felt the script might veer toward the cliché, it managed to balance itself with a moment of pure honesty. Laurent's father and uncle, for example, confide in the opening scene that two men having an intimate relationship makes them sick and that they feel justified in turning their back on any gay family member. The screenwriters counter this neatly with Emma, a mother who has come to terms with her gay son, and hopes to help Laurent's parents to a similar understanding. The older (hetero) men certainly look like clichés at first, but are fleshed out to the point of possible redemption by film's fade out. JUST A QUESTION OF LOVE is perhaps the best film on this subject I've ever seen.

Very impressive, well done. All the actors, actresses were very good at doing their parts.

There is one mistake that I found. I thought that whoever did the make up did an excellent job, especially on Laurent's mother Jeanne. She was so radiant when she was visiting her son, then she became so old after she learned that her son is gay. So after I finished watching the show, (I am surprised that it is not a movie.) I watched that chapter again. To my surprise, her hair was up when she was standing at the door. Then later on, when she was relaxed in the room, all of sudden, her hair was down again.

Everyone looks so natural, it doesn't seem as if they were acting. It is as if they were really people with real problems. I also like Cedric's mother - Emma, she reminds of someone that I know, very elegant.

This story is well written, it is not predictable as you watch from the beginning. And it seems that it could be just anyone's problem, whether it happened in France or in the US. There will always be parents like them, and sons like those two. And that is what is so great about this TV show, real life like story. well done!

This has to be one of the best films on gay love coming from France that I have ever seen. I am a French film aficionado and I was dismayed that as far as the story goes, there is rampant homophobia even in French families. But I guess we can't escape it no matter where we are or where we go in the world. I shouldn't have been angry at the disgust of some of the family members, even to the point of disowning their gay children! The father and uncle characters were irritating to say the least, but it's to be expected. This story is so real and hits home. The pain of coming out,or not is keenly felt by those of us who can identify with it. The performances were first class from the entire cast. Cyrille Thouvenin and Stephan Guerin Tillie were outstanding. One could almost believe they were lovers in real life. They were so natural and comfortable together. From beginning to end, I felt for both characters and sided with both on what they felt and feared. Especially Cyrille's character, Laurent. I wish we could get more gay love stories with substance. We need to see more positive stories on gay love and I hope that gay directors, producers and actors out there understand that. Most gay films tend to be negative and have the main characters die tragically, or the film is based entirely on homophobia and/or silly gay stereotypes. Even by gay producers/directors!! This is usually the case in "straight" mainstream films. We need more actors like Cyrille and Stephan to play roles with substance and be positive roles models. The film is in French with English subtitles. This is definitely a must see.