Just a Sigh (2014)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Absolutely the worst movie.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

What pulls us to another human being, to share all the intimacies of touch, pain, and desires? And if we are drawn to someone else, what would it feel like to just follow that desire and allow ourselves to yield, without resistance? There are times in our lives when we just want someone to care for us and hold us. Alix and Douglas are inexplicably drawn to each other, during a time for each of them that is especially lonely and difficult. Though it appears out of character for both of them, they embrace the attraction. The emotions in this lovely film are deeply felt and communicated. Alix is feeling particularly unmoored due to the failure of everyday technology, which contributes to a confusing distance from her boyfriend. Doug is experiencing the loss of love and innocence. It seems magical that they are able to find each other, comfort each other, and give each other just a bit of strength to return to their lives. Others have said there are no great morals or lessons in this movie. I think this is a movie that shows perfectly the impact we can have on another human being, if we take the chance to see each other as creatures in need of love.

One may wonder what it was all about, when they got out of the movie theater after watching this movie. I did. I felt half perplexed, half bewildered. What is it Alix really after or why she thought she would get it from a stranger does not stack up. And most of the scenes somewhat did not stack up credibility. Scenes look like staged up coincidences with many flaws and gaps. Such as, Alix going to a funeral of a person she did not even know, just to meet the stranger in the train she was obsessed with. Adding further confusion, Doug somewhat shows that he does not know what was going around him either. A particular irrational scene was when Alix tells Doug that she is seven months pregnant. He doesn't seem surprised and plays quite cool about it which is confusing. It doesn't add any value to the movie and actually questions what it brings to the smooth flow of their romance. The end scenes are still confusing too. It looks Alix is confused what to do with her partner Antoine who never shows up in the movie. She obviously gets sick of him but her sudden invitation to him for her show, just after leaving Doug is mind twisting.However, the acting of both Devos and Byrne are exemplary. Director Bonnell uses close-ups quite often, quite smartly. Especially the facial expressions and sharp, haunting eyes of Devos stands quite tall in the movie which successfully fill the gaps in the storyline to a greater extent. Byrne mostly succeeds in playing the right facial expressions too, helps to build up the consistency of the rhythm of the movie.There is not much of a story, and Bonnell could have done a better job by making his own screenplay a trustworthy one. If it was not for the great acting of the main two characters, the movie doesn't hold much matter. Major portion of my ratings of 7 is absolutely for the performances of Alix and Doug.

Yes, I have seen movies with this exact same plot, but this film is constructed so well that it keeps me guessing as to the main character's, Alix's, motivation for beginning the affair, and thus sustains my interest in watching the relationship unfold until the end. The cinematography was beautiful. I think Gabriel Byrne was hard to believe in his role, but only because I have seen him in so many action driven/ plot device driven films that the subtle, understated twist and turns of this movie seemed a mismatch for him. I loved the introduction of the family drama. What I could have done without was the constant phone calls but even they grew on me. Emmanuelle Devos was incredible and carried her part off well. I would whole heartedly recommend this movie. It is not simply a romance but a complete dramatic character study.

Déja Vu would be a gross understatement to describe "Just a sigh" directed by Jérôme Bonnell. It does not offer any new story to viewers. Moreover, all of us have seen countless films with two strangers meeting on a public transport, having sex and moving on in their lives to their individual paths. This theme is so overrated that one feels bored at the mere mention of a film belonging to this genre."Le Temps De L'Aventure" begins as a film about unknown lovers but shifts its focus to reveal family conflicts especially a troubled relationship involving two sisters. However, this sub plot does not contribute much to sustain viewers' interest. One really wonders how such films without an ounce of a good story manage to find finances. Although there are not too many lines in French language for his role as an actor, Gabriel Byrne looks completely lost. Emmanuelle Devos is brilliant as her other films. However, her reputation as a fun loving "serious actress" can get damaged if she chooses to do any more film of this kind. Lastly, due to its regional setting, a film about a French woman falling in love with a non French speaking person in a day has limited interest for viewers interested in world cinema.