Crème glacée, chocolat et autres consolations

One thing I came away with from this film was "the closeness of lifelong friendship".

A simple drama which looks at the protagonists' family ties and friendships, and certain events which shape a life.

The drama is more a "slice out of life" type affair, than a typical Hollywood/soap-opera melodrama.

The performances are definitely convincing and nuanced, but did not impress enough for Oscar (or Canadian equivalent) nominations.

It is largely set in one Canada's french-speaking cities (or at least that's how it seemed), Montreal. Perhaps it was the time of year it was filmed, but it certainly paints a very interesting place to visit.

Though a languidly-paced film, it is definitely not boring.

I didn't think much of this film at the beginning. But the more and more I watched, the tide was turning. The cast is good. I especially liked Isabelle Brouillette and Jacynthe René. But Danny Gilmore was just OK and Serge Thériault maybe a little too much to handle. The movie tells how our lives are influenced by family ties and friendship. There's some depressing aspects to the movie, like the kid who lives downstairs from Isabelle Brouillette's character. But it all happens too often in real life. That's what makes it even more poignant. But the ending left me kind of dry.

The soundtrack is great. Excellent music by, among others, Mara Tremblay and Marie-Jo Thério.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on May 4th, 2005.

79/100 (***)