The experience of toxic, harmful relationships with people who are comparable to a deadly addiction that you can't get rid of.
Cassel's "Georgio" is charismatic, full of life but incredibly erratic, unreliable and manipulative. Bercot's "Tony" is caring, lovable, daring but dramatic, insecure and naive.
It's a dangerous combination that we have often seen fail both on screen and real life. Usually the spark begins through the same reasons that it will eventually lead to the relationship's demise.
As the movie unfolds, there's a huge part of me that is angry at Bercot's character for enduring such a narcissistic person. Despite being attracted Cassel's charm and "larger than life" attitude, I could never support him, even if there's a small part of me that finds him somewhat irresistible.
This is often the problem, when charms and a way with words can con people into falling into the most basic feelings and needs, not being able to see the big picture and protect themselves from harm. As someone who views it from the outside, it is always crystal clear what you need to go, but for those living that scenario, there's no way of passing on a message and making sense. Your mind and heart can become your worst enemy.
I know those characters and have seen those scenes unfold. Some of them I lived myself. That is why i guess the movie resonated with me.
Having earned a solid 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes, not sure anyone has been more critical than The Guardian's film pundit, Peter Bradshaw, who absolutely destroyed the movie with his review.
It left me (at the risk of being unfair) thinking if he ever experienced tumultuous love, raw passion or an emotional mismatch.
He says the scenes are over dramatized and embarrassing. Reactions are over over the top. The acting is bad.
I mean, sure, there's plenty that I haven't seen or lived myself, but they aren't that much of a foreign thought for me to not think of them as believable.
I also wonder why are so many reacting with emotion towards the film? Why is it such a successful movie?
I look at all my friends who have recommended the film and they all share the same trades. Joyful, emotional state of mind, with an ever present lust for life. Yes, some may be dramatic, overly romantic, creators of high (and maybe unattainable) expectations... for some that can be just youth, for others an intrinsic group of character trades that evolve and become easy to manage, but surely that is normal and human.
That's at least how I felt when witnessing the constant flux of emotions: the spontaneity, the overflow of love and affection that transformed into psychological hardships and despair.
It's the tale of a degrading relationship that I'm sure we've seen or heard - even if just in parts - during our trials in life and in love.
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