5 x 2

This film has little to say past the level of its conceit, which itself is contrived but interesting. The film is the story of a relationship, told in five segments, presented in reverse chronological order. It begins with divorce and ends with the first flush of love. This is contrived, but I like it insofar as it comments on the viewer’s expectations about the trajectory of a romance: that if you really want to have a happy ending in love, you will have to end at the beginning. Aside from that, there isn’t much going on in the film and Ozon does not fully flesh out his story; his characters are stock and largely uncompelling, despite very good performances, and perhaps a great one from Bruni-Tedeschi (this is my first exposure to her, and based on it and what I’ve read about her directorial work I think she could become a great favorite). And all the betrayals are sexual, which is boring as hell…