Les Beaux Jours

(37%) A typically French drama looking at an adulterous relationship between a recently retired dentist and her quite a lot younger computer teacher boyfriend. There's plenty of French realism here that's sort of like what a TV soap opera would be like if they were not so poorly made. While the plot is hugely simplistic to the point in which this could have been a 30 minute short and still had the exact same sort of impact. But the performances are decent enough, and there's not a huge amount of romantic movies out there about people in and out of love at the later stages of life. Maybe worth a look for French cinema fans, but I'm certainly never going to watch it again.

I am a fan of Ardent and certainly of French cinema.

But this film is unforgivably bland and flat.

Now, OK, the French simply cannot make a film without adultery. I get it. It is apparently some French law. And usually a one with good results. But it is one of several utterly forced aspects and plot lines thrown into this slightly droll "Lifetime channel" "made-for-TV" quality film that make the entire experience seem artificial. It doesn't shock, excite, enlightening, add drama, sadness or happiness. It is just a has to be there because it is the only thing the writers could think of.

The rest of the film is predictable and cliché. No usual French subtleties, simply nothing at all of interest

The french like to depict in most of their films. their favorite lifestyle which is usually middle to upper class. Sitting around a table drinking wine, eating food and pondering about politics and relationships. A bit later we will see some passionate sex and the story start to unfold, if the characters are on their 20's it has political overtones, if the characters are in their mid 30's it is about the coming of age, in this film is about the taboo of having an affair with a much younger partner and the predicament it accompanies such a decision.Nicely photographed, uplifting location near the sea can not to save this clichéd and bland film.It seems to me that a lot of french films suffer from trying to RE-invent love, which is fine but it becomes to be predictable and boring.

A 60 year old woman has recently retired, is mourning the death of a close friend and is looking for meaning in her life. She is introduced to a 'seniors' club as a way of meeting people and participating in new activities. She initially shows little interest until the possibility of an affair with one of the organisers begins.

Nice idea for a screenplay, perhaps the screenplay was good, but the end product doesn't realise the potential. The film ultimately plays safe and succeeds only if it was aiming to be 'feel good'. Missed opportunities to become 'interesting' and 'unique' as well as 'bright'.

Some humorous moments but not enough for it to be a comedy. Some investigation of characters but not enough for it to be a drama.

I'm a longtime fan of Ardant from way back when I first saw her in a French TV "feuilleton" (Les Dames de la Cote). I wish she'd had a better script here. There were too many clichés and stereotypes. For me the story felt as flat as her hair color. Perhaps the bad blonde was meant to age her. She's much better and sexier as a brunette. In my opinion the best performance was by Patrick Chesnais as her husband. He was pitch perfect. There was a lot of potential for a more interesting film and it failed. But then again I haven't read the source material (book) so perhaps there just wasn't enough there to begin with. I'm glad that I saw it, but was disappointed despite the fact that it's always good to see Fanny.