La Trilogie 3: After Life Movie Review:


The final chapter in Belvaux's trilogy is an intense drama that centres on a troubled marriage that's completely intertwined with several outside events. Belvaux not only brings together the characters and situations from the first two films, but he redefines the overall story and touches on some surprising themes.

Pascal (Melki) is a cop with far too much on his plate: His wife (Blanc) is addicted to the methadone he provides for her. But now a local crime boss (Descamps) is blackmailing him to murder a renegade killer (Belvaux) in exchange for a continued drug supply. Meanwhile, Agnes' colleague (Muti) has asked him to spy on her husband (Morel), who she's sure is having an affair. And another teacher (Frot) has a disturbing past link to aforementioned renegade, who has a connection with Agnes as well! But Pascal's main worry is for Agnes' health and sanity, which he sees beginning to slip. Along with his own.

This is a harrowing story of addiction and co-dependence, strong and quite moving as it examines the desperate things we do for both love and self-preservation. Belvaux's direction is vibrant and telling, drawing out transparent performances that give us an all-new side to the characters, filling in holes and redefining relationships and situations.

The film is just as confusing as the other two; there are too many characters and too many loose ends. Like the thriller (One) and the romantic comedy (Two), this film doesn't really stand on its own. You need the other films to make sense of everything! By itself it feels choppy and distracted, and perhaps a bit dull. But following on from the other two, it's a gripping drama that's both tender and creepy.

And it reminds us that things quite often are nothing like they seem to be, even when we see them from three distinct perspectives.

Rich Cline

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