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he loves me he loves me not | Year: 2002 Classification: Foreign Film - French Actors/Actresses: - Audrey Tautou - Samuel Le Bihan - Isabelle Carré I Loved It, I Loved It Not When I was sitting in the theater watching this film, I thought to myself: "Jeez! If I wanted to see a Julia Roberts romance I would have gone to the multiplex!" The film's first third plays as a sappy love story. I was groaning in my seat. Then something magical happens. The film "rewinds" and plays the same scenario over again -- from the "boyfriend's" point of view. Ahhhh. There is more to this film than meets the eye. A sort of French modern-day ROSHOMAN, HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT is ultimately a thought-provoking and entertaining film. It's plot-reversal keeps you on your toes and plays with the idea of perspective. Audrey Tautou and Samuel Le Bihan are very good in their roles; you get a chance to hate then feel sorry for them depending on which version of the story the film is portraying. Enjoy it, enjoy it not. Intriguing little French romance/thriller "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" is a clever French film that begins as a romance and ends up as a thriller. I personally like this kind of story, in which nothing you see at the beginning is what it seems. [The most famous example, perhaps, is Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo"] While this movie might prove too deceptive and cynical [or even a bit cruel] for some viewers, I think it wll prove rewarding for those who like films that 'think outside the box'. The movie begins much like any standard romance. Angelique [Audrey Tautou], a promising young artist, is madly in love with Loic [Samuel Le Bihan], a successful cardiologist. She sends some flowers and a painting she did to his office to show her affections. She is house sitting for a family who has gone away for a year. Her life seems almost perfect until it dawns on her that the doctor doesn't keep the promises he makes to her - he doesn't show up for dates, he refuses to leave his wife, etc. Slowly, she sinks into a depression. She later plots her revenge against her 'unfaithful' man. But what is really going on between these two? To say more would be to ruin the story. Tautou is the French actress who charmed audiences around the world a while back as "Amelie". Here, she proves she is more than a big smile, wide eyes and an odd hairdo; in fact, she looks completely different. She is a most accomplished actress. Samuel Le Bihan is first rate as the object of her affection. The movie is in French with English subtitles. These do not bother me in the least, but I am well aware that some people refuse to watch a movie in a foreign language. I say that that's their loss. Great head fake and wonderful surprise of a film "He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not" is a wonderful piece of misdirection by director Laetitia Colombani. It starts all saccharine sweet with flowers, perky songs of Spring and love, and a smitten Audrey Tautou. It's all a great head fake. As the film turns slowly, inexhorably darker and more malevolent, you're faced with the reality that your sweet little Amelie maybe isn't what she appears to be in this outing. It's a great against-the-tide career choice by Tautou and the masterstroke of the trap Ms. Colombani's sets for her audience. Where Colombani's film elevates itself vs. others of this genre is in its unique, impressively designed story construction. Others on these pages have alluded to the technique. I'm not going to repeat it here. It came as a surprise to me during my viewing, and it was like a special treat - my mouth dropped open suddenly as Colombani delivered her unexpected wallop. Everyone deserves that pleasure. I suggest you try to avoid extensive reading about this one before you take it in. Your lack of preparation will be well-rewarded. Buy He Loves Me He Loves Me Not at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on He Loves Me He Loves Me Not Search with the Priority Search Engine on He Loves Me He Loves Me Not This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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