When I was 17, I was kind of fascinated by this kind of (typically french) movies. The absence of action in the story telling would reveal some hidden gem, some kind of unknown, deep, mysterious truth, about life and all the unexpected things that could happen. Like meeting someone one evening and then spending the night without knowing anything about each other, without even exchanging a few sentences. Yeah that would appear to be exciting, revolutionary, unusual, unconventional. Now, 36 years later, I've had a few strange encounters in my life (like anybody else, I guess), but then... so what? Nothing to make a fuss about, and certainly not a movie. These moments weren't any deeper or more significant than other events that proved to be far more ecstatic or painful. The absence of any meaningful dialog in a script doesn't make a movie more special or poetic by itself. These long close shots on the actor's eyes don't lead anywhere if the author has no intention, no other purpose but to please himself/herself. After I watched the whole movie, I was left with a feeling of emptiness, that is, the author's emptiness. This film is about nothing, but it tries to conceal that behind smart camera movements, little action and no story. It has nothing to say, but would make us believe it's nothingness reveals something about life. Well it doesn't.

This movie is good.The concept is simple, two strangers meet up by chance, and fall in love. However unlike the love films we are accustomed to, this film, ends on a somewhat positive yet open note.There is mostly quiet movie, but like the Japanese film Dolls (which I reviewed just a few minutes ago) the lack of dialogue works. This is a movie about love and just a night together in both the crowded and deserted parts of the city (which are deserted because of the congestion). The main point of the movie is what the stars are doing, sitting in the car together, meeting up again, eating together, sleeping together, and just getting along and being friends and lovers.The movie is also well shot with some nice shots of Paris and and appealing looking hotel and restaurant.9 out of 10.

This was a damn good movie. Very different, the closest movie that comes to the feel and over all effect is The Loss of Sexual Innocence. Movies such as this catch many off guard because they don't follow the de facto movie format. Meaning, an event happens, people react to said event, drama, conclusion, resolution.This movie takes a totally different approach, and that's what makes it shine. This movie defies being labeled as a movie altogether. People say this movie is boring, that nothing happens, there are almost no words. They'd be right, there is no real drama, conclusion, resolution. I don't believe that's what this movie is even about.From the opening moments of the Paris rooftops I knew I was in for something special. The long shots, the turning off of lights, the gazes at the Paris skyline. This was a visual feast with poetic credentials, and I expected as much.Folks, this movie was not about Jean and Laure. I believe thats where all the critical flack stems from. This movie isn't about a brief encounter that is over by sunrise. The plot that you all speak of, that's secondary.The movie tends to focus on their surroundings more so then them. A cluttered car, a heater, traffic, boxes. A best example of this is their skin, during the sex scenes there are close ups of their skin rather then showing them making love. As if the plot, in this case, making love, is secondary to the poetic element of the story.In any given event, the surroundings are just as important as the story itself. This movie displays that perfectly. That is the purpose of this movie, that is it's beauty, that is what it is about.If this movie is about the surroundings rather then a plot or story, then what would be the purpose of showing rooftops, skin, lamps, boxes? Because is it life, and it is poetic and beautiful. What is the purpose of a rose? Why take a picture of it, or give it to someone? A rose simply is, this movie simply is. The nuances of life deserve appreciation and this movie pays homage to that fact. That is what this movie is about.It is life, it is the beauty of everything around you.

The traffic jam sequence alone stands as an amazing and lyrical study of the rhythms of stop and start driving. The two lovers are so anchored in the magnetism of the present. This movie is a homage to human nature, and sexual attraction consummated. Also, I absolutely love that the film accepts and cherishes the moment as the lovers do. It's very French.