MovieChat Forums > Un long dimanche de fiançailles (2005) Discussion > 1st time viewing,, Beautiful and Complex...

1st time viewing,, Beautiful and Complex.

posted 16 years ago by bushwah13
7 replies | jump to latest

I just got finished watching this gem tonight, and thought that it was a really good movie. At first I found it a little hard to follow, I think because I wasnt ready for all those French names being dropped and the jumping around from scene to scene from other people's viewpoints. After awhile I got used to it and was trapped in the story. Obviously the movie was so incredible because of the beautiful cinematography, but also the characters helped as well, some were pretty comical.
Something I did not like was the end of the movie...
Manech having amnesia was just really depressing for me. After all this drama of Mathilde hoping he's alive and finding out that he is but he doesnt remember her was just so gut wrenching. I went on this whole adventure hoping for the best. Well I guess the important thing is that he is alive and thats all Mathilde really wanted.
Anyways, I thought it was good, but I def. need to see it again to really digest the whole story. I got the overall, now I need complete details... All of them..

Oh... I also really liked Jodie Foster in this as well.. I do wish they used Marion Cotillard a little more.

[–] Allison543211 16 years ago

Yes I agree I loved this movie also. It always makes me cry, it is just so beautiful. I loved that Mathilde never gave up hope. She always knew that he was alive and that she was going to find him. I thought Manech having amnesia was so sad. I just wanted him to remember her, but I guess now they can fall in love all over again

I can't remember to forget you

[–] MonsieurLange 16 years ago

(! SPOILERS !)

That's true. Its a brand new start and you know its going to work out because Manech is saying the same lines again. Also Manech doesn't remember the horrors of the trench war, wich is good too. Perfect ending.

[–] Rayek_ 14 years ago

Jeunet has managed to make a film that stands up to repeated viewings. There always seems to be something new to see.

As you are, I was. As I am, you will be.

[–] leminhha93 13 years ago

This is one of those movies that a second viewing is a must. I left out so many details in the 1st view, but luckily the storyline was straightforward enough it did not leave me in a "WTF" state like Fight Club or Memento. The foreign names did not help much either.

I'll probably give the film a second viewing early next year (2012).

[–] jacquesh 14 years ago

! SPOILERS !

While it was somewhat saddening that Manech had amnesia it also covered a plot hole which would have appeared if he had his memory intact. In that scenario we would be asking: Why didn´t he contact Mathilde? She was still living in the same place as when he left for war so there wouldn´t have been any problem finding her.

[–] noblesse_oblige 13 years ago

I had a slightly different take on the ending. Before he lost his memory, Manech had completely lost his mind. The horrors of war had made him totally insane; he wouldn't have been able to have had a real or meaningful relationship with Mathilde if he'd survived and remembered trench warfare.

BUT, now they can start all over again. I think (?!) he asks her the two same questions that he did when they first met ("does it hurt to walk?" and "why are you crying?"), which I think symbolizes that they can start over fresh. Mathilde can have Manech back the way he used to be, with all his pre-war innocence. I'm sure they'll get back together.

It's an excellent film, though. Lovely story and so, so emotional. I cried buckets when it was over. ;)

[–] 13 years ago

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