Posted at 9:30 a.m.
For this feature film designed during confinement, Claire Denis teamed up again with author Christine Angot. LikeA beautiful inner sunthe latter co-signed with the filmmaker the script for this film inspired by one of her novels: A turning point in life. The story ofWith love and determination is built around a romantic relationship that the French filmmaker takes time to study by borrowing her very own way, which disconcerts and fascinates at the same time.
The first sequences could almost suggest a romantic drama in rose water. We see Sara (Juliette Binoche) and Jean (Vincent Lindon) in the sea, enjoying a swim in a place as heavenly as it is isolated. He holds her gently to make her float, kisses her on the way, in short, this man and this woman, who have shared their love for nine years, seem to spin the perfect happiness together. They love each other just as much in their daily lives, but gradually more tumultuous days are on the horizon.
When Jean announces to his beloved that his old friend François (Grégoire Colin), whom he hasn’t seen for a long time, would like to set up a new professional project with him, Sara does not make too much of it. It is by seeing the latter surreptitiously in the street that the trouble sets in. Believing that she had relegated the amorous passion she experienced at the time with this friend of Jean to the department of well-assumed, well-regulated memories, Sara cannot help but let herself be overwhelmed by a wave of emotion bringing back feelings that the former lovers shared at another stage of their lives.
Borrowing the points of view of Sara and Jean, Claire Denis films her characters very closely, often in close-ups, ready to scrutinize the intimacy of the protagonists. The part devoted to the crisis of the couple is also very well done, especially since we could not suspect the dramatic extent of certain scenes. The reunion between Sara and François is not easy either.
The ramifications that the authors graft to their story, on the other hand, seem more artificial. Apart from the happiness of seeing Bulle Ogier in the role of Jean’s mother, it is difficult to understand why the bond between the latter and his son Marcus (Issa Perica), born to a West Indian mother, is not better developed. Nor why the testimonies of the guests of Sara, radio host at RFI, do not fit better into the story.
That said, Juliette Binoche and Vincent Lindon threw themselves body and soul into this feverish drama, full of uncontrollable feelings, often shot with a handheld camera. The two stars deliver, once again, remarkable performances.
At the Berlin festival, during which a first version of this text was published, With love and determination won Claire Denis the Silver Bear for directing.
With love and determination
Claire Dennis
With Juliette Binoche, Vincent Lindon, Grégoire Colin
1:56
Indoors