À la place du coeur

Admirers of 'Marius & Jeannette' will not be disappointed by Guédiguian's latest film. This is arguably the finest 'Europeanisation' of an American novel of recent years. The film treats inter-racial relationships and racism in a totally natural and unforced way that brings out human values in a manner reminiscent of Renoir and a style reminiscent of Bresson(no qualitative comparison implied).

The easily followed flashback structure provides a near-perfect dramatic curve to a highly believable plot. And cementing it all together is the brilliant choice of well-known Liszt Nocturnes as music that is used in a totally unclichéd way.

Further evidence that the much-publicised reports of the death of the French cinema are greatly exaggerated.