Reviews

After watching the film, I couldn't help but think that it's probably really tough to make such a movie. it’s disappointing that she seems to have lost some of her most defining qualities as a filmmaker here. Her work usually thrives on emotional intensity, where the turmoil isn’t just about individual characters but deeply embedded in their relationships. There’s always this push-and-pull dynamic, a kind of tension that plays out not just in words but through physical expression. Unfortunately, both of these strengths felt weakened in this film.

The director's style and visuals and are absolutely killer! This is pure big-screen cinema. Plus, there's an epic Easter egg at the end. Sure, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but who cares? I love it.

This is a film steeped in nostalgia. The ideal place to experience it would have been one of those long-gone Parisian gay adult cinemas. What a shame they’re no longer around!

This is the director's first attempt at making an ultra-long film. With tight dialogue and poetic touches, he delves into both the warmth and conflicts of close relationships. The movie is split into two parts: the first follows a group of young creatives as they write and rehearse a play, while the second shifts to the live stage performance. By blending reality and fiction, the director creates an authentic, everyday vibe that reflects his creative process. The dialogue is rich with metaphors and symbolism, exploring how we form connections and the challenges of communication in today's world. With a runtime of 255 minutes—over 4 hours—the film definitely tests the audience's patience. However, the ending is deeply romantic and leaves a lasting impression.

I think this is the director’s best film yet. Without the experimentation in this movie, we wouldn’t have seen later masterpieces like Happy Hour or Asako I & II. But I also feel that this film isn’t really meant for live, theatrical viewing—the direction the story takes isn’t what matters. What’s important are the actors and placing them in a situation of "hyper-realism." Everything in the film is too theatrical to feel like ordinary life, yet it’s so true to intuition and the body that it can’t be considered pure fiction either. This approach really expands on what the actors can do. And isn’t that what movies are all about? They take in everything, yet always remain just a little apart from it.

I haven't watched a film in ages that left me feeling so off-balance for hours afterward. The movie takes its time in the first 55 minutes, but then the next 200 minutes completely pull you into the story. None of the characters are the typical heartthrobs, and their performances aren’t exactly professional—but their genuine reactions are incredibly captivating.

This film surprisingly avoids clichés and melodrama. The director does a great job of pulling back on those almost over-the-top moments, and the acting feels completely natural. The only downside is that the script feels a bit superficial.

At first, when I read the synopsis, I expected a lot of cheesy, over-the-top twists. But after watching it, I was pleasantly surprised. The story flows naturally, largely due to the excellent performances by the lead actors. If the bedroom scenes were removed and the ending had been more open-ended, I might have given this movie an extra star.

I felt that the dialogue in the film was too dense, making it feel overwhelming at times. While the topics explored are rich and interesting, the director's personal style gets lost. In the end, it comes across more like a French comedy hastily put together by someone desperate to stay relevant.

While watching the movie, I sometimes felt like the director just shoved a ton of text into the film without really organizing it well.

After watching the movie, all I can say is that the lead actors have great physiques—but that's about it.

The love story in this film is absolutely stunning, with dialogue that leaves a lasting impression. It’s clear that the director has a real talent for crafting light, romantic films. However, the downside comes in the second half, when the focus shifts to heavier themes like illness and death—the director seems a bit at loss and doesn’t handle it well.

The narrative is kinda loose, and watching it feels like a throwback to the era of the French New Wave. The two main characters are mostly separated, communicating only through letters and phone calls. To be honest, the director doesn’t handle the heavy topics of AIDS very well. The story feels drawn-out and boring. However, the music is still amazing!

The film features a solid cast, but the story leans heavily on clichés. Still, if you’re into this kind of genre, it’s worth a watch—the male lead is so devoted he’s willing to die 1,000 times just to keep the person he loves safe and happy.

I love stories where the characters drive the narrative, whether in movies or novels. The characters aren’t just serving the plot—they're the ones pushing it forward. Sebastián Lelio’s first two films do exactly that. While some may argue his movies lack a traditional plot, for me, someone who enjoys experiencing films through its characters, Lelio is a true gem.

After watching this film, I have to say that this is exactly how lesbian movies should be made. The way the two leads admire, obsess over, and connect with each other is rooted in their independence. They come and go on their own terms, and even their final parting reflects that same sense of autonomy.

This film offers an immersive experience that makes you feel every emotion deeply. Set during the height of the AIDS epidemic, it draws you into a world where the relentless force of the disease, society's fear, and the collision of human nature are laid bare. Every moment is charged with a tidal wave of emotions—grief, shame, despair, exhilaration, anxiety, anger, laughter, and tears.

When it comes to contemporary masters of black-and-white cinema, Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski is impossible to ignore. With just two black-and-white films under his belt, his remarkable craftsmanship and unique style have already garnered him a devoted global audience and critical acclaim. This film not only carries forward the signature traits of his work but also showcases the full maturity of his auteur style.

This movie skips all the narrative twists and character actions, showing only the final outcomes—and then over-compensates with its visual techniques.

The film's visuals, cinematography, music, and art direction are flawlessly executed—there’s nothing to criticize! What’s truly impressive is how every element serves the story and its emotions, drawing us to ride along with the characters' emotional rollercoaster. The director clearly has the mark of a master filmmaker!