Mon inconnue

Raphael has everything a man needs for a happy life - a successful writing career, plenty of fans and a devoted wife Olivia. He doesn't seem to understand the sacrifices Olivia has made to help him build his career, putting aside her own ambition... until one day Raphael wakes up in a world where he is a humble school teacher and Olivia is a world famous concert pianist. More than this - she doesn't even know who Raphael is. Will they be able to reunite? And at what cost?

The "What if" premise is the signature style of a French romantic comedy. LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT, however, examines an interesting dilemma - does one of the spouses always have to sacrifice his or her own ambition for the other to succeed? And can the cycle be broken?

Apart from this interesting premise the film doesn't have much in store. Action does not propel the protagonists' relationship forward and there's a lack of quirky hilarious and engaging situations that make romantic comedy really work.

Both Francois Civil and Josephine Japy look great in front of the camera but lack chemistry. They work better as best friends than future lovers. They are also too beautiful to be believable as an average couple.

LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT is something you have seen many times before, and there's little to praise beyond its high concept premise. As a piece of entertainment, however, it works rather well and never feels dull. If you love romantic comedies with a twist it may be two hours well spent.

A nice and fresh romance comedy, in her French ways - which is a good change from the standard Hollywood one!

A real good movie goes beyond budget, special effects, sex and all those "musts" in the HOLLYWOOD formula. A good movie is the one that it's own idea is sufficiently original and strong to live by itself. The script is Everything. If it is natural, "believable", (doesn't matter if it's fiction) and touches spectators hearts, is enough to be a success. That's all about good French cinema. Like this beautiful movie that honors too the main goal of this industry: to entertain and to conquer peoples hearts.

The trio François Civil, Joséphine Japy, Benjamin Lavernhe is a total success! The movie is both funny and moving. It's very good! A must see, in family or with your other half. And if (s)he is not yet your other half, but you are working on it, this movie is definitely a great choice!

In a synthetic way, without unduly spoiling the script: Raphaël and Olivia fall in love at first sight, then Raphaël becomes a successful writer while Olivia follows a professional career neither here nor there, until... a Twilight Zone effect! ... Raphaël lands in another space-time in which he is a simple fellow, a John Doe while Olivia is a well-known pianist, and she does not know him anymore, at all. Ooooops ! One unique goal: to lure her back again, and fall in love ... at second sight.

First of all it is important to say that the translation of this film is a crime, "Mon Inconnue" which means "Meu Estranho" came to be called that, it is incredible how the Brazilian distribution insist on "breaking" the films with these horrible titles. That said ...

"Amor À Segunda Vista" is a French production written and directed by Hugo Gélin and it is a romantic comedy. It is a film that presents a somewhat familiar plot, but that surprises with some choices. As much as you kill in the beginning what will need to be done in the end, and the title does not help, the way the plot gets there is what makes it interesting. Many conventions in this type of script are present, but the solutions sought are simple and play in favor of the plot. The script uses the characteristics of the characters to create the "link" in the story, the incident created leads to an outcome and only in the third act does it reveal that it is none of that. The use of the cliché without wanting to be silly or disposable is one of the highlights of the film, after all, it is a love film and love has many clichés, the difference is in the way it will be used. The tone of the jokes is "ok" and the mixture of classic and contemporary mixes well the evidence of pop culture and the historic charm of European buildings.

Another highlight is the cast, which has a good harmony and stands out for the protagonist couple; Joséphine Japy and François Civil are good actors and have already established themselves in French cinema. Music is another positive point, the ever-present piano gives the film a subtlety that suits the viewer (the ears too). Despite having a good presentation and running away from the common end, the director gets lost in the execution and bets on "normal" to conclude his film and sign the couple, some characters come and go and others are dated in the genre, which reduced the excitement at the end.

"Amor À Segunda Vista" is a good option in times of scarcity in romantic comedies, which has a good history and has Parisian beauty in its favor. The film is available on the "looke" platform and free of charge at the Varilux Film Festival. Good session!