Coeurs (2006)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Alain Resnais

Writers:

Alan Ayckbourn (play)
Jean-Michel Ribes (writer)

Release Date:

22 November 2006 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

For six strangers in search of love, the City of Lights can be a very lonely place.

Plot:

In Paris, six people all look for love, despite typically having their romantic aspirations dashed at every turn.

Plot Keywords:

Bartender | Paris | Video Tape | Ex Soldier | Old Man

Awards:

5 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Sabine Azéma	...	Charlotte
Isabelle Carré	...	Gaëlle
Laura Morante	...	Nicole
Pierre Arditi	...	Lionel
André Dussollier	...	Thierry
Lambert Wilson	...	Dan
Claude Rich	...	Arthur (voice)
Françoise Gillard	...	Speakerine TV
Anne Kessler	...	Présentatrice émission TV
Roger Mollien	...	Soldat poète émission TV
Florence Muller	...	Critique d'art émission TV
Michel Vuillermoz	...	Architecte émission TV

Also Known As:

Private Fears in Public Places (International: English title) (USA) (festival title)
Cuori (Italy)
Petites peurs partagées (France) (working title)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French | English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | France:U | Italy:T | Germany:12 | Brazil:14 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M

Company:

Soudaine Compagnie

Trivia:

There is a Scarborough poster in Thierry's home. The English seaside resort of Scarborough is the home of the play's author, Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Charlotte has the tomato soup thrown at her by Arthur, the front of her blouse and sweater have large reddish stains on them. When Lionel returns home and is talking to her, the stains have disappeared.

Coeurs en hiver

I've just seen the movie today, and enjoyed it a lot, even if I won't range it among my Resnais favorites. The story in itself is simple but full of allusions and "non-dits". It reminds me altogether of "Smoking/No Smoking", without the narrative twist, and "On connaît la chanson", without the songs. I like the way Resnais creates a whole universe, half realistic, half dreamlike, with only six characters, limited sets and omnipresent snow. These six characters struggle with loneliness, butting against various obstacles : wrong match, bad luck, lack of will or perverse manipulation. The general atmosphere is kind of sad, but in a cool and soft way (snowy if I may say so), and with humorous touches, especially all that relates to videotapes and an invisible but perfectly audible grumpy old man played by Claude Rich (which makes seven characters actually). The acting is impeccable, with a special note for Sabine Azema, André Dussolier and Pierre Arditi. And an interesting cast for Lambert Wilson (playing against type).