Member Login
Who's Online
We have 48 guests onlineLatest Discussions
- Cheap Air Max, Purchase Nike Air Max 2012 with Fre
ryliuhu 9.2.2012 21:56 - Cheap Air Max, Purchase Nike Air Max 2012 with Fre
ryliuhu 9.2.2012 21:53 - Cheap Air Max, Purchase Nike Air Max 2012 with Fre
ryliuhu 9.2.2012 21:49 - Cheap jordans,Jordan sneakers,Cheap nike shox,Nike
ryliuhu 9.2.2012 21:45 - Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags Gucci Handbags Burber
topandgd 3.2.2012 22:38
Latest Comments
Home 
Movies Movie Reviews Juste Une Question D'Amour - Movie Review
Movies Movie Reviews Juste Une Question D'Amour - Movie Review
 |
|
 “It’s not about being gay or straight. It’s just a question of love”
Movie - Juste Une Question D'Amour (Just a Question of Love)
Director - Christian Faure
Cast - Cyrille Thouvenin, Stephan, Eva Darlan & Others
In all technicality, this movie is supposed to fall under the colorful ‘Gay Themed’ category- but I simply can’t bring myself to do it. Attaching such a stereotypical label to a film such as this one would indeed be a shame.
Directed by Christian Faure, Juste Une Question D’Amour originally aired on France’s France 2 Network in the prime time slot. In the following two weeks, the lead actors, Cyrille and Stéphan received at least 2000 letters of praise each from viewers- and after watching this film, I see why.
The film follows the relationship between 23 year old Laurent and a slightly older, Cédric- and the relationships that these two boys have with their respective families.
Laurent’s family is horrifically homophobic- Laurent’s cousin, Marc was completely disowned by his family after he came out. So much so, that the family- with the sole exception of Laurent refused to visit him at his deathbed.
Deeply shaken by the incident, Laurent (who was very close to Marc) refuses to reveal his own sexuality to his family. Instead, he visits his family with his best friend Carole, masquerading as his girlfriend- leading his parents to believe they may soon be getting married.
The opening scene depicts an idyllic holiday with Laurent’s family: a seemingly joyous family, spending a day together. Things, however, are not that happy.
A few minutes into the film, we are shown Laurent’s father and uncle (Marc’s father) discussing with brutal honesty so characteristic of this film, how the “thought of two men touching each other like that” disgusted them.
We are also introduced to Marc’s mother, Martine- ravaged with sorrow, reduced to a person who, in her own words, “swallows half the drug store”.
From early on, Laurent and Carole’s interactions are a treat to watch- sweet, yet at the same time so endearingly tongue-in-cheek: when Laurent’s mother affectionately calls her son an angel, Carole whispers to him, “And like angels, we are not sure what sex we are.”
Studying to be an agricultural scientist, Laurent’s grades in college suffer after Marc’s death to such an extent that he is instructed to do internship work with Cédric in the lab adjoining the house he lives in with his mother, Emma.
It is from here that the movie truly begins to come into its own, with wonderfully real characters, and top notch performances from every actor- from Carole, to Laurent’s mother Jeanne to Emma.
And last, but most certainly not the least, the pièce de résistance of the film, Cédric and Laurent.
The most beautiful of all is the two men’s relationship- the stark passion, the tender affection, the infectious joy and the pain of heartbreak are all so beautifully brought onto the screen- it really does have to be seen to be believed. And everything is done with the absolute minimum of sex and nudity.
My favorite scene with the two would be the one where both boys fool around in the laboratory, spraying each other with water- it felt as if you were right there, sharing in the ecstasy and the frolic. The innocence and the joy of first love are so realistically manifested with just a smile on Laurent’s face- it’s so simple to believe that the two are actually in love. In fact, you think it just couldn’t be otherwise.
If I’ve devoted an entire paragraph to the two as a pair, Laurent certainly deserves one all to himself. Exuberant in his youth; laughing without a care in the world one second, acting out in another- you can’t help but feel very drawn to the character. Deeply attached to his family, yet disgusted with their homophobia- his conflicts are brought to the screen with heart-breaking clarity.
No less praiseworthy is Emma, Cédric’s mother. The best thing about her character is that she’s so honest about what she believes in. In a scene with Laurent, she tells him that eleven years ago, at her husband’s funeral, Cédric had come out to her with his sexuality; and had added the fatal words, “Take it or leave it.”
She goes on to say, “I’d just lost my husband. I wasn’t going to lose my son too.”
Does she wish that her son were straight? Yes, she does- and she never makes a secret of the fact. At the same time, she realizes that it’s better for her son to be gay and a part of her life, than him to be gay and completely cut off from her.
Restrained, almost brusque and absolutely “no good at pretending”, Emma is a one of the most three dimensional mothers I’ve met on-screen.
Eventually, Cédric and Laurent fight over the latter’s decision to remain in the closet. Taking after his mother, the idea of Laurent acting like a “good little heterosexual” for his parents is abhorrent to Cédric. After a particularly serious altercation, Laurent storms off to his apartment while Cédric goes off to a “Symposium in Paris”.
Honestly wanting to see the boys’ relationship to continue, Emma takes the initiative to break the news to Laurent’s parents- and all hell breaks loose.
In a heart breaking scene, a hysterical Laurent is told by Emma that it was she who had told his parents.
“But my mother! Did you think about her?” Laurent piteously sobs, before leaving, distraught.
Meanwhile, Laurent’s mother Jeanne is devastated with the news, while her husband Pierre is livid with his son, no less because of the charade he put up with Carole.
“What will people think?” He storms.
It is then that Marc’s mother, Martine says what is perhaps the most poignant line in the movie, “Don’t talk about people. When your son is dead, they don’t fill in for him.”, going on to add the film’s tagline, “Maybe we don’t love our kids as much as we say we do.”
Toward the end of the movie, Laurent shares a private moment with his father.
“It’s not about being gay or straight.” He says, “It’s just a question of love.”
“Give me some time”, Pierre almost pleads, “Please give me some more time.”
I started watching this movie with almost a sort of wariness. I’ve seen movies with homosexual themes before; and all of them turned out to cater to the same stereotypical depiction of gays, and their ways of life- in most movies, the gay characters are either drunken man sluts addicted to sex, or sickeningly effeminate men more aptly called transsexuals.
Juste Une Question D’Amour, I am happy to say has no such shortcoming- and successfully breaks all those stereotypes and prejudices to deliver a true classic- hilarious at times, sometimes joyous, while sometimes poignant; and always brutally honest and sensitive.
At the end, you are forced to admit, it really is just a question of love.
Totally a must-watch.
Rating: 9/10
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Hits: 1193 Trackback(0)
Comments (32)
  written by lisayun, August 15, 2011
audemars piguet watches can make you feel good, and that may improve your grade. A successfui businessman must have one kind of watch to show his special quality. for a lady the watch also can attract many eyes. that is a amazing feeling for owning a watch. these watches are selected for all kinds of people. you can get your favorite watch freely.
written by diesel jeans, August 17, 2011
Contrasted against the grand gowns offered by other couturiers, wonens diesel jeans look casual modern even today.Why were these diesel uk jeans considered so shocking? The idea that they look equally chic on men and women. When it comes to designer jeans , diesel jeans reflecting the subtle evolutions of this hardy fashion perennial through few decades. For a woman, diesel jeans sale is an indispensable garment with which she finds herself in fashion, because it is about style, not fashion. Fashions come and go, but style is forever. diesel jeans uk is a popular choice among young people, for Most of current diesel jeans cheap are designed to meet consumers' demand. http://www.diesel-jeans-sales.net/
written by womens barbour jackets, August 17, 2011
The barbour jackets story began in 1984 in South Shields. Today the 5th generation family owned business remains in the read, with barbour jacket’s headquarters located in Simonside, South Shields. Although it sources products from around the globe, ladies barbour jacket are still manufactured by hand in the mens barbour jacket factory in Simonside and each year over 100,000 barbour quilted jackets are processed via the central, subsidiary and local customer service operations. http://www.barbourjacket.org/
written by polo jacket, September 01, 2011
If you have a friend to open wholesale stores, might go some wholesale true religion jeans,
If there is capital, then we can go get somenike air max tn,I believe that you can make a lot of money.
written by Burberry Bags For Sales, September 19, 2011
Once again great post.You seem to have a good understanding of these themes.When I entering your blog,I felt this.Come on and keep writting your blog will be more attractive.To Your Success!
written by Louis Vuitton, October 22, 2011
Louis Vuitton is a name never to underestimate. Its creations are among the wholesale designer Louis Vuitton to shop for. Among the designs that you may love are the Louis Vuitton Outlet Stresa PM bag in Damier canvas, LV Alma Tote in epi leather, LV Elegie Purse, and LV Tote.
written by rolex style watches, November 03, 2011
I like this website, and I can benefit a lot from it!
rolex style watches
written by tisa hats, November 05, 2011
Many of my friends do not know how to get the road to make money before they can make their own, and here I give you two possible ways to make money, the first one is, monster energy hats the second is Snapback hats ,I believe that you two ways to do so if the real will make money, while very grateful to the author of this article.
written by UGG BOOTS Hannen, November 07, 2011
If you want to buy discount UGG BOOTS Hannen online, Here will be a better choice for you. There are many kinds of ugg boots sale on this website. ugg boot is a kind of specialized boot that anyone staying in areas. http://www.uggbootssale-au.net/ http://www.genuineuggboots-au.net/
written by cheap dvd sale, November 16, 2011
The Vampire Diaries on dvd is so cool! More information about the mentalist possible at http://www.dvdboxroom.com
written by The Mentalist season 3 dvd, November 18, 2011
written by Coach Outlet Online, November 24, 2011
As a fashionista,Coach Outlet Online you should deeply
know how important Coach Factory Outletto collect a set of outfits in summer.
written by chat odaları, December 18, 2011
sohbet odaları, sohbet, sohbet siteleri, Chat, chat siteleri, chat odasi, sohbet odasi, Bedava sohbet, Bedava chat, Turkchat
written by hats scarves, December 19, 2011
Others, or have cheap hats or designs with design motifs that are unique to their own tisa hats. It is necessary to realize one fact when you are looking at the different winter hats that are available. Each of these hats have a distinctive style of being .
written by supreme hats, December 19, 2011
Thank you for your sharing，When talking about the bowler cheap hats, the brand name hats gloves is always come into mind.
written by chicago hat, December 19, 2011
Thank you for your analysis and sharing, from your article I learned more.I embarked on vast wholesale hats second leg of my expedition with renewed Moncler jackets vigour. I had to do cheapfor men mensnew era snapback Long Down Jackets Black red on sale Smythson very quickly indeed otherwiseI really would have bought the entire shop well.
written by new eyeglasses, December 20, 2011
It's a arrangementof commutual pages that articulation to anniversary knitted scarves the user from the capital armpit arise the snapback capssites.assertive appearance of this address led to its apprehensionby the web spiders.
written by Coach Factory Outlet, December 29, 2011
And while fundingCoach Handbags costs halved atChanel Purses an auction on Wednesday
written by cheap replica louis vuitton handbags, January 02, 2012
The one spot for a discover classy louis vuitton 2011 collection is the web.So, one could conveniently discover and buy one's beloved and desirable replica monogram canvas.
written by wedstyle, January 03, 2012
I purchased a wedding dress a month ago, I was a little worried about the quality considering the price was so low, but the dress came within 3 weeks and turned out to be so stunning and amazing! It really used high quality fabrics and delicate embellishments. I can’t wait to wear it in my big day. Girls if you want to buy a dream wedding dress with small budget, try LoveChinaShop. You will be so surprised by this team! Go ahead for your dream gowns!
written by wedstyle, January 03, 2012
I purchased a wedding dress a month ago, I was a little worried about the quality considering the price was so low, but the dress came within 3 weeks and turned out to be so stunning and amazing! It really used high quality fabrics and delicate embellishments. I can’t wait to wear it in my big day. Girls if you want to buy a dream wedding dress with small budget, try LoveChinaShop. You will be so surprised by this team! Go ahead for your dream gowns!
written by louis vuitton monogram denim, January 08, 2012
Thank you for your article, I hope to see you again to share.You could start to try to make this happen type connected with designer imitation handbags? Recommend a good website, click it, you can see the louis vuitton monogram mini lin diaper bag and louis vuitton miroir.
written by north face outlet store, January 10, 2012
Although these things are turned into powder, but it could be considered a ore, if melted down refining should be or can be used again."The north face of the pipeline think how north face store that can be used on the. However recovery may take some time." The north face and looked those gems: "these things don't throw it, temporarily leave the store, transit and small discount female plastic surgery will be stabilized, and then removed, the north face later useful."Became the subject of magic powder, but can also become a ore melted down, and that itself is the refining of metal,
written by wholesale nba hats, January 12, 2012
If you are looking for wholesale jerseys sale store online, you must not lost our cheap hats. We are the professinal provider that supply large discount price and top quality hats with best services.
written by wholesale hats, January 14, 2012
Many of my friends do not know how to get the road to make money before they can make their own, and here I give you two possible ways to make money, the first one is, Burberry scarf the second is wholesale scarves ,I believe that you two ways to do so if the real will make money, while very grateful to the author of this article.
written by tx windshields, January 18, 2012
When repairing the Audi yourself, take advantage of free auto repair manuals which can be found.
written by cheap new era hats, January 20, 2012
Perk up established common will become cooled using a a terrific way to through manufacturers like Outside Look. Without a as few as money 20 well you can acquire an important propensity Lawn Learn head wear. You'll find nothing as you all on your own common lower price fledgling age cheap winter hats wholesale Top and also a coating due to the fact change for the working weather conditions. If you decide on, think of making use of the idea head wear Exterior To endure Bombshell Container all on your own however the Top blood vessels holding denim jeans , nor tisa hatsMore than a wind resistant, more sleek sort of the typical box cover, the idea jacket will take slightly femininity, elegant and elegant hear sadly mindful, is to find be careful about your hair styling right away.
written by hukan, February 03, 2012
New Era hats are very popular among young generations and seeing their enthusiasm different age group men too have taken keen interest in experiencing the style and comforts of New era hats.MLB baseball team hats we has earned good reputation by offering quality products and thereby understands the needs and taste of the customers.laguna beach jeans
Write comment
|
| Last Updated on Sunday, 08 August 2010 02:03 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
