2 AUTUMNS 3 WINTERS

SYNOPSIS:
Arman (Vincent Macaigne) is 33 and ready to make a change, starting with a run in the park. When he literally bumps into Amélie (Maud Wyler) - slightly cynical but nevertheless lovely - on the jogging path, he's keen to make a connection with her. As a bit of contrived fate brings them together, Arman's best friend Benjamin (Benjamin Bouillon) suffers an unexpected stroke, relegating him to the hospital for weeks where he falls for his doting young physical therapist. Katia (Audrey Bastien). Over the course of two autumns and three winters, Arman, Amélie and Benjamin share the incidental moments, accidents, unconventional love stories and unforgettable memories that will define who they are.

Review by Andrew L. Urban:
Arman (Vincent Macaigne) is a combless and often hapless 33 year old; work isn't important to him as he drifts from job to job - so he tells us though we never see him work. The film is told essentially through his eyes, but not exclusively, with all four characters speaking to camera as well as to each other. This device, referred to as 'breaking the fourth wall' (where the camera is placed) gives the film a sense of intimacy and revelation, but often the result is banality. Still, that is the point of 'talking' films such as this, which were fashionable in the new wave era.

A determined lack of formality gives the film its sense of immediacy and edginess, though this is largely wasted as spontaneity is largely absent. Story is not the mantra of emerging filmmaker Sébastian Betbeder - character is, and relationships. The danger is that the banality takes over and the characters mouth words that have little meaning for the audience. Too insular, too introspective, too uninteresting without dramatic context.

So it is that what drama is woven into the words comes second hand, as recounted to us, not as experienced by us. The novelty effect is greater than the cinematic value. Spoken words replace the on-screen life experience.