He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
(2002)
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The title HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT is more ironic and telling than the unknowing viewer would dare to guess. A whimsical love story, yes it is. But its whimsy is short-lived and fades quickly to concentrate on the dark underbelly of relationships, emotional attachment, and the complexity of the human spirit. Audrey Tautou delivers a beguiling performance as Angelique, a lovely and passionate young art student. Having just received a grant to work on a series of new paintings, she rushes through her days busily working while always finding time to send secret gifts to her lover, Loic (Samuel Le Bihan). Loic is a successful cardiologist who is older and busier than Angelique. But that does not deter her dedication to him, or sway her to consider dating a classmate who says he's in love with her. Halfway through the film, writer-director Laetitia Colombani employs a narrative technique that changes everything, bringing a chilling flip side to the story. A creative and colorful work, with excellent supporting roles played by Isabelle Carre and Clement Sibony, HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT is poised to pounce as a new entry in the romantic thriller genre. |
The old adage of there being “two sides to every story” is proven brutally accurate in French writer/director Laetitia Colombani's beautifully crafted debut. By splitting this romantic thriller into interconnected halves, Colombani is better able to explore the complexities of personal relationships, as seen through the eyes of a man and woman in love. In the first misleadingly simplistic segment, art student Angélique (Amélie's Audrey Tautou) edges towards Fatal Attraction territory, as her apparent affair with married cardiologist Loïc (Samuel Le Bihan) starts to sour. However, in the second segment, the story is replayed, this time from Loïc's viewpoint, and previously innocuous events take on a very different and unexpected meaning. Anchored by two strong central performances, this tightly coiled treat is a chilling mass of contradictions and surprises. Even the occasionally heavy-handed symbolism provides a satisfying touch, giving the two halves of the film a unique visual and emotional identity. Rich with Gallic flair and passion, it's a pleasing lesson about never taking anything, especially movies, at face value.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Creepy drama, told from the differing viewpoints of both protagonists, that begins as a lush romance and then becomes something darker.
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