He Loves Me, He Love Me Not Movie Review:


Still Amelie After All These Years

It’s not a good time for the French to release a film in America, especially a Crème Fraiche like “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.”

However, since this black valentine was delivered like a rose to cardiologist whose diagnosis was a flat line, we still need to offer the courtesy of a eulogy. Audrey Hepburn may have enjoyed Monte Carlo, Baby, but she wouldn’t have exhibited a Funny Face at this Holiday in Bordeaux. This role was one Charade Audrey Tautou couldn’t pull off, no matter how many times she may have studied Sabrina.

Taken as the story is presented, every punch is broadcast in advance. Nothing is surprising, which is not a good omen for a film promoted as a dark thriller. It has all the markings of a first time director. The characters are poorly fleshed out and their actions don’t match their occupations. Unfortunately, if the characters had been written intelligently, they would have spoiled the “plot.” There were enough leaps of faith, that a homily by Pat Robertson would have seemed rational. I thought it was Swiss cheese that had the holes…

It is unfortunate, because the premise was sort of interesting, but the execution was like a guillotine without a blade. It was nicely shot and the sound was good, but that couldn’t make up for the rest. Don’t mistake this for an art film just because it has subtitles. This is Francowood all the way.

However, if you are really bored, or fed up with the American slop delivered thus far this year, or you just plain love the French for standing up to Bush, there is a way to enjoy this film. Forget the other reviews and plot descriptions; see this as a black satire and you can laugh your ass off. Seen in the right perspective, this film lambastes Amelie, mocks the bourgeoisie, and humiliates the institutional bureaucracies.

En Garde!

TR Black

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