Sta.sh
Remember that you are essentially collaborating on a story. Good stories have plot, and are much more interesting for everyone involved if the characters are engaging in an interesting conflict.
Laurence anyways
Laurence anyways is a three hour Canadian romantic drama film starring Suzane Clement and Melvil Poupad, it is directed by Xavier Dolan. The storyline centres on a schoolteacher in Canada who after some consideration and thought comes out as a transsexual woman to her wife and the events that effect and follow in their lives.
Many people will probably find this an excruciating experience, fortunately I am fascinated by human beings and their sexual makeup so this subject matter instantly clicked with me.
I felt that the film warrants its long running time to construct a strong, mature, detailed romantic story that is well realized and developed. The slow start was important in my opinion because before the big revelation gets dropped we already have gotten to know these characters, the titular one most of all and have spent time with her in a manner of speaking.
The film surprises at moments with the wife’s reaction which is accepting, yet confused, surprisingly they actually for a time remain close and remain in love. Laurence’s students and colleagues seem okay with the transition but parent groups are concerned and some odd stares, so the film paints a mixed view while also making sure to show this isn’t an easy situation. The examination of Laurence’s relationship with her parents was an interesting dynamic too. The movie has a frank, genuine, serious and mature air/feel to it as well. Poupad is convincing but the acting by Clement emotionally is excellent as it is effecting, sometimes even with a intensity to it. We also get to see the strain Laurence losing her job and the transition eventually puts on the marriage which was also pretty engaging, two parts later on in the film pack an quite the punch too.
This was a solid drama that did its topic justice and did so with respect.
Beyond the film’s final stretch I never felt that I lost interest of that it dragged on for too long.
The drawback is that sometimes here and there as it sometimes drifts into silly flamboyance and artiness and ontop of that the music and clothes were quite terrible but that’s a minor quibble. That said these scenes also serve to lighten the mood, which in a long, serious film like this create a balance if doing so awkwardly.
Verdict: ****
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Probably the best mind f*** , horror psychological foreign film i've watched since Valhalla rising
I totally reccomend it