2 Outonos e 3 Invernos (2013)

Writer/director Sébastien Betbeder Feels more like a film and a story – if that makes sense. It is the type of film you need to be in the mood to see – a rather extended, and at times tedious, conversation between actors and camera that works for a while and then becomes a distraction. But as with the French, even when bouquet isn't entirely fresh it still has charm.

As fate would have it the bored and distracted early thirties Arman (Vincent Macaigne) inadvertently bumps into Amélie (Maud Wyler) – pretty but not exactly pleased with her life or life in general – while taking a healthy jog in the park. Up pops a problem: Arman's best friend Benjamin (Bastien Bouillon) has a cerebrovascular accident and is hospitalized, impaired but still with eyes for his physical therapist. The stage is then set for an ongoing exchange of life stories, accidents, memories (good and bad) among the three main characters. It is a stage for some philosophical comments – some poignant, others plebeian. And that is all there is to it – a conversation a trois.

Despite the fact that there isn't a lot of substance, there is still that Gallic charm that makes up for many flaws.

I thought this was a beautiful film, to enjoy the French language, mannerisms and ideals.

It was beautifully shot with very subtle artistic nuances. This is one to enjoy with a spouse or significant other. Shades of Anne Hall.

It begins rather well, with its bald man very gone bald with the long hair who meets a girl by making her jogging in a park, but the whole ends up in marshmallow from the third 2nd; so we grow terribly tired very fast of this sentimental comedy which looks like exactly far too much like one of those ones of Judd Apatow, idol of these new urban slobs of whom the hero a little loser of this movie played by Vincent Macaigne.

It's a pity thus, because the critical aspects were rather well portraited - we shall adore the scene of the trendy restaurant in Bastille, of course yucky without counting the totally selfish boyfriend - and then artists' portraits are also painted well (at least at the beginning eh.) Thus saddening to see another French movie so gêêêêênial which would maybe have been able to tackle rightly in rudeness, but which finish into a clone of its older U.S brothers and that the french hipsters are going to be forced to love it. But I'm sorry because being french myself, I think I know what I 'm talking about and besides, I have my own personal opinion despite I belong to no caste.

One last question: must the actors of this full-length movie should be all so ugly ?

"2 Autumns, 3 Winters" (2-13 release from France; 91 min.) brings the story of Arman (played by Vincent Macaigne), a 30-something man who is drifting through life, unsure of what he will do. Then one day, while jogging in the park, he (literally) bumps into Amelie (played by Maud Wyler), who's in her late 20s and in a less than great relationship. After an awkward exchange, Arman is sure that "she's the one" and tries to run into her again, but to no avail. In a parallel story line, we get to know Benjamin (played by Bastien Bouillon), a longtime friend of Arman. One day, Benjamin suffers a stroke and during his recovery he gets to know Katia (played by Audrey Bastien), his speech therapist. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first, this is a conversation-driven relationship movie, in which there's (in case there was any doubt) lots of talking. Yet it is done in a slightly off-center manner. The main characters talk to each other and also into the camera on-and-off, as if to provide commentary to their own lives. Second, the movie is divided into two parts, with each having about 20 'subchapters', many of which last barely a minute. Third, there are a couple of nice music references in the movie. It had been years, decades really, that I had been reminded of Michel Delpech, the French singer who had great success in the 1970s. And then there is the placement of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song", from their debut album some years ago. What a gorgeous (and romantic) song that still is. Last but not least, in this type of movie, you had better have engaging acting performances, and on that level the movie certain delivers. I was not familiar with any of the lead actors, but they delivered a nice ensemble performance.

This movie was the January, 2014 release in the on-going series of Film Movement's DVD-of-the-Month Club of foreign and indie movies, and it will be released to the public at large later in 2014. As usual, the DVD comes with a number of bonus materials, including a nice shortie, "Voyage d'Affaires" ("Business Trip", 2013 release from France; 11 min.), also worth checking out.