La belle époque

My own personal 'Belle Époque' would have been my student days in the late 60s, most especially '69, when I fell amazingly in love, so I was 5 years ahead of Victor, but I can so much identify with the nostalgia, and the desire to go back. Indeed, I often visit those days in my dreams, with the sort of distortion of events that only dreams can do. So if I could pay to be magically transformed completely to 1969, to live its fabulous intensity all over again, only my bank balance would hold me back. To return to relive a time when the world lay ahead of me, everything seemed possible, and I was not old and cynical, now wouldn't that be marvellous? It is so refreshing to watch a movie that involves genuine acting, and Daniel Auteuil is magnificent, as always, his eyes alone capable of expressing so much emotion. And it sets 21st century and possibly futuristic technology against a backdrop of 1974, when life really was all so much simpler. The movie does at times become dream-like in its depiction of Victor's recreation of his youthful journey, and most certainly surreal, definitely bewildering in places for him, and the whole story is cleverly handled with wit and elegance. Well worth seeing, and I will give it a faultless 10/10

Aging Victor is down on his luck: he's unemployed and he has been kicked out of his own home as his wife has left him for his former boss, the man who fired him. Then he is offered a chance to recreate a moment in time and he chooses the moment in 1974 when he and his wife first met.

An interesting, entertaining and emotional film. Great in its application of nostalgia and our desires to relive our fondest moments. The central plot is quite basic and ends fairly predictably, though emotionally. However, some of the sub-plots are quite interesting, especially the Antoine-Margot-Victor relationship. There's also some very funny moments: the assistant director gets some great scenes and one-liners.

Not always engaging though. The plot does seem unfocused at times and some scenes and sub-plots go nowhere.

Can't fault the casting: the big names, Daniel Auteuil and Fanny Ardant, are great and nobody puts a foot wrong. Doria Tillier, as Margot, steals the show though.

I'd thought of writing a long, involved review of this one, concentrating on the plot antecedents, but what's the use? It's so much fun watching this comedy with dramatic touches that my critical sense is forgotten. Daniel Auteuil is splendid as Victor, and he makes the comic transitions from scene to scene very well. Fanny Ardant changes from sourly critical to warmly emotional as needed--haven't seen her as good at comedy since 8 Women. That's all; I hope to see it again on video.

This film results in a story about love and nostalgia.

The story of this film captures you completely, the plot is very emotional and shows us how true love endures even if there are ups and downs along the way. The story is very beautiful, you manage to empathize with the protagonist from the beginning, it has a very effective balance between comedy and drama, there is a good development of why things happen, it exposes that changes in our life are inevitable but we will always be faithful to those who we are, and what we love, the production design is good, the cinematography is beautiful, and the character development is good. But there is a character who does not have any development just as there is another character who ends up being despicable and gives a very bad example of what it means to love someone.

The story is entertaining and emotional, it talks about the fact that the love we have for another person endures and will not cease to exist despite the difficulties along the way, it is a quality film that definitely made me believe in love.

I really enjoyed watching this movie. It's fresh and keeps the viewers well connected with the characters. Exceptional acting. It makes the viewer appreciate the true power of performing a movie within a movie. A clever script, in my oppinion, with a blend of old and new to match. For me, though, it would've been even more gripping if the reenactment had taken place at Marianne's request, rather than Victor's choice. That way, he could've been unaware of everything going on behind the scene, so they can relive their happiest moments, as an attempt to save their marriage. Too cliche? Maybe. Anyway, that's just a thought. I like it all the same.