Hors-saison

This French movie by Stéphane Brizé is a sensitive drama/romance, as old lovers meet anew in a different stage of their lives. Guillaume Canet and Alba Rohrwacher are a well-matched pair, whose chemistry was essential to making the movie work.

I am somewhat torn, because the movie's depiction of their (re)connection is well nuanced and plays true, while there are moments of subtle humor and cute interplays. For example, there is a wedding scene where two men "sing" (whistle) as birds to one another, conversing rather eloquently and magnetically - would watch this spin-off. However, the movie is painfully slow, emotionally terse and at almost two hours exceeds what would have made it a more effective runtime.

Brizé's build-ups and long-shots are beautiful, but rather barren, like the inner lives of his ailing characters, which are aptly depicted. However, added to the very familiar beats of the story, it all lacks the weight to justify this outdrawn treatment.