All the Days Before Tomorrow

I saw this film international opening in the 2006 Rio's Film Festival. And for me it was one of the three best I saw. François Dompierre first film is almost perfect, a story about love and memory. Great pacing, beautiful images and excellent music, which, although completely different in subject, made me remember in some ways in Sofia Copolla's Lost in Translation.

All happens in one night, when Wes, a guy who knows what to remember, but has no action, receives a call from Alison, the girl he remembers, a friend and nothing more. She is in town, is leaving tomorrow and wants to see him. They have this one night to remember their past, all the days before tomorrow, all the days before she leaves again. Two summers ago, they meet, one summer ago, they traveled through the desert. They were happy together, but there was always a feel in the air for something more than just friendship. In his travel through his memory, Wes will be guided by the Doctor, an old man in a monochromatic landscape, who revels to him what he always knew, all the questions he never had the courage to make while awake. He needs time to understand there is no time. He needs time to understand that to finally fly, he needs to take action, to build eternity with Alison.

I was constantly hypnotized by the outstanding cinematography, as well. Every scene was shot to bring out the most beauty possible, and it enhanced the experience by 100 times. One of the first few scenes drew me into the movie as it showed a girl's hand resting outside a car window, with rays from the setting sun gleaming through her fingers as she drove through an orange desert terrain. Each shot that was captured was entrancing: from majestic canyons in Utah to quaint homes in Montréal, a stylish apartment in L.A. to slow motion lights in a club and snow falling onto the still water of a swimming pool. It did not matter what was happening—every frame was perfectly composed and a delight for the eyes.

As if there could be any more wonderful aspects to this film, the music was yet another one! The varied musical selections added as much to the movie as anything else, and it would not be the same without it. The most amazing thing about the film's music was that the songs were of completely different genres yet each created the ideal mood and sensation that a scene was meant to have. There was music for every taste: jazz, electronica, alternative, instrumental, country and even songs in four foreign languages! The music was very distinctive—not the over-played radio songs you find in most movies—and captured the essence of the diverse twists and turns of the story. I had not heard any of the songs before this movie, but they left a lasting impression in my mind and made me impatient to have them on CD. The music choices of the director were impeccable and set the finishing touch to the acting, script, and cinematography, bringing each scene fully to life.

Many of my favorite movies are love stories, but this is now my favorite one of all. I was amazed that the film made me want its two characters to be together so badly. In many movies, I would not care if the lovers end up together, but this one made my heart hurt to think that they might not be happy. I was surprised to find myself so enthralled, hanging on every word and movement of the characters, feeling as though I was experiencing what they were. When a movie pulls the audience into the story, making them care about the lives and fate of its characters, it has accomplished its goal. This film did just that, subtly and naturally, without a hint of insincerity or cliché. The film never tried too hard because it didn't have to—it compelled you to become enveloped in the story without ever realizing you were. I was amazed as I admired each emotional and intellectual layer, woven delicately and masterfully into every element of the film, and saw how it had been refined to perfection until it flowed seamlessly. This movie made an ordinary week of mine into an incredibly exciting experience, and gave me something to turn to when I need to be reminded that there are truly masterful works of art in the world. Since March 2nd, this has been my new favorite movie. "All the Days Before Tomorrow" plays like a finely-tuned instrument and unfolds like the steps of a flawlessly-choreographed dance. There is not a scene, expression, sound or word that should be changed.

It takes a great vision and incredible talent to create art so powerful, and I must give the director, François Dompierre, unending praise for having done that. This was his very first movie, and merely from knowing that I can see that he is destined for success. Anyone who experiences this film will be able to recognize his remarkable skills and ability that stand out beyond the rest, and I know we will see him at the Oscars one day. Thank you for making such an exceptional work that touched my heart and I know many, many others.

Everyone who can, see this film and give it the support it deserves!! =)

Nice first-time effort by Francois Dompierre . Kudos to him, actor Joey Kern , and Lindsey Davis , Art Director for staying after it's East Coast screening at the Stony Brook Film festival for the Q & A .

The frustrating , platonic "love story" was a little slow in developing , but tended to become more fleshed out as the movie wore on and the character's traits and aspects were revealed to us in the audience . The use of the dream sequences with Richard Roundtree , were somewhat vague , but did tend to lead into the next chapter or vignette .

The desert landscapes spoke volumes of the "relationship" between the two main characters Wes (Joey Kern) and Alison (Alexandra Holden) . Warm and enticing , yet empty and foreboding . This non-committal "dance" between the two directly echos many , many relationships in our modern , fast-paced materialistic world . (Many that i have personally encountered ,and with some of my friends) . Bravo to Francois to presenting this movie in such a way, yet leaving the "possibilties" open for something more substantial in the future .

The acting was top - notch , as they lead us on their journey's of evolving , maturing , and feeling out what "fits' in the present , and what might be a "best" fit .... for each one in the future . ( I can certainly see continued success for both Joey & Alexandra ) .

For the average film - goer , this film may be a bit tedious and frustrating ( as was evidenced in the crowd around me ) . I would recommend this more for an artsy , thinking , engaged viewing crowd , who recall having youth and time on their side , floating through modern life ...... before tomorrow ..... Life ... and the overhead theater's lights ... kick in !

I got to see the film on DVD as it was never released on screens in Kuala Lumpur where I live or at least I did not hear about it. It was absolutely one of the best films one could ever wish for if they were into films with a straight story whose taste will be with you like forever.

Throughout the film and almost in every scene I had this weird feeling that I have been to those places before or at least once have had a dream like that, especially in the club scene with the mind-boggling music in the air. It really blew me away.

The acting was just awesome as the two were showing their true characters and had nothing to hide from one another. Alison, a naughty girl with all that energy, had come cross the young Wes who seemed to have nothing in common with her at first but as the story went on, they were so incredibly bound together that you could clearly see the effect of this simple but strong connection between them in their life...

Wes was talking about the transfer of energy in some scene in the film while Alison had no clue what it was like but the film showed this movement of energy so well between the characters. I had never seen a movie like this making me wish for such moments as every scene was telling the story of a dream...

I believe movies like "All the days before tomorrow" are created once in a lifetime and I strongly believe we need more of this type to show the great power of true joy and happiness and I think happiness was well- defined in every second of this movie...

Great story , music and pictures . Fun to watch , fine humor , telling something about life we all experience . Francois Dompierre did very well for his first movie . Will be fun to watch him over the next few years . He has something to say - what a change from all those boring ,stupid and violent movies on the market today - . Long life to that new writer-director !

The choice of music fits very well with the beauty of the images . That Gavin Kelly is very good also ...there are some great visual moments in that movie -Alison hand floating around outside the car (for example )- or the ways the beauty of the chosen location is presented .

Alexandra Holden is great and take the whole screen for herself sometime -full of life-. I have enjoyed that refreshing movie very much . I only wish we could see more movies like that ,unfortunatly they are exceptions ....maybe that is why we like them so much when we find them...