Matt Shea
RubySoho
Morgan Bell
Cibbuano
David O'Connell
Mountain Fog
Shall We Kiss? @ the Sydney French Film Festival
March 1st 2009 22:49
Certainly, like Allen's films, there's the hint of a gimmick in "Shall We Kiss?", the idea that a simple, tiny kiss can lead to uncontrollable physical attraction. Mouret plays Nicholas, a awkward, neurotic man who spends a lot of time with his married best friend, Judith. When Nicholas discloses that he's in need of physical affection, Judith agrees to help him out - just as a friend - only to find that they're incredible attracted to each other.
It seems like a lethargic plot, but the film moves gracefully through the story, told in a compelling flashback from a third person. Mouret manages to deftly skirt the genre of 'rom-com' by letting the film descend into a fog-clouded valley of silliness, with a zany scheme, but snaps the audience back to reality.
And here is where the film rises above a mere genre pic... "Shall We Kiss?" shows us the real human cost of playing with love and relationships, and cautions the audience against being flippant with romantic ideas of love.
Certainly, in the world of make-believe, married people can saunter off and give into zesty carnal affairs, with only a sly wink and some frantic slapstick to cover up the truth. I've seen countless films where the idea of a cold, unloving partner is mercilessly exploited to bring colour to a tragically dismal life, allowing the wife or husband to find joyous colour in the arms and debonair charms of another.
To give happiness to these characters is unfair to their partners, who were demonized to justify the adultery. A better treatment of this experience might be Allen's latest film, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", where Rebecca Hall's character went to Spain expecting routine and a practical marriage, but came away with ideas of romance and a life of passion. Her reward is mere discontent and the weakness to do anything about it.
Similarly, Judith, played by Virginie Ledoyen, when she leaves her husband, attempts to do it with a bag full of tricks, only to have it backfire, causing her husband even more pain and torment.
The audience understands, we sympathize and understand why the end of the movie has to play out like that. Some might say that it's another small tragedy, but this one refusal to give into love is the compassionate choice, and one that we must respect.
Confused? It's certainly a film worth watching at the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, perhaps one of my favourites, so far. "Shall We Kiss?" gives Mouret the title of the new Woody, a title that's not easily given, but has, so far, proved oddly prophetic.
I say: Surprising depth and thought accompany this comedy, which you would be faulted for dismissing as lighthearted.
See it for: The female characters are all wonderfully cast, with significant depth and charm - something that seems to be missing from Hollywood comedies of recent memory.
*this image is from the MIFF film page.
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Comment by David O'Connell
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Fat Cult
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yeah, they can be too light at times, but I still seem to find infinite patience for them!
Comment by David O'Connell
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Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by Cibbuano
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Teresa, this would probably be my favourite so far! If you're in Sydney, go check this one out...
Matt, I'd like to see Change of Address now that you mention it.