La Belle Epoque (French Movie Review)


10/10

 Victor and Marianne are in their early seventies. While Marianne refuses to grow up Victor struggles to adapt to a modern world full of gadgets and the virtual reality of the internet. A present from his son - a successful media businessman turns his life upside down as he is allowed to relive the best days of his youth. 

 Once again a romantic comedy where the protagonist tries another chance with his past. However this time around the premise does not include literal time travel or rewriting of history. If TRUMAN SHOW was a romantic comedy you’d get LA BELLE EPOQUE. It is also refreshing to see French acting royalty Daniel Auteuil and Fanny Ardant in the main roles. Sparks fly when they are together on screen and it is realistic, exciting and intense. The script is extremely clever, well paced and filled with hilarious situations. 

 Sometimes everything comes together in a film - the music, the acting, the direction, all supporting an original story that digs deep but makes perfect sense. Perfectly funny, spot on dialogue, memorable characters - it’s all there. A feel good, but an intelligent film - I didn’t want it to end.

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