Sandra Nettlebeck wastes no time getting to the hard drama in the first scene of the movie and that's the way to give the audience a glimpse of what's to come, right off the bat. Michael Caine was the man to deliver that gripping attention grabber and he did it well. The movie is unpredictable but not shocking; despite your best efforts to see what's coming, you won't, but it's not for effect, I don't believe, it's just life, and director Nettlebeck does her best to make that point.
Mr. Morgan, played by Michael Caine, lost his wife; the movie introduces her to us via the images in his mind throughout the movie, while he struggles through what is no longer life, no longer that is till a chance encounter on a bus with the almost reincarnation of the dear departed. He meets Pauline, played by Clémence Poésie, again on the bus not long after and a perplexing relation ensues, one hard to define and it would be futile to try. What the aging retired professor of philosophy had not come to terms with before the passing of his wife, Pauline helps him find it eventually, him and his son Miles.
The story is sombre in many scenes, hopeful in others and always thoughtful thanks to nice writing and fine performer's use of body language when mere words can't be enough or just too much. That is what I liked most about this movie, beautifully simple as it should be. Emotions will be triggered if you have an ounce of sympathy or empathy, but it's not over the top. Michael Caine's performance is one I'll remember as long as I remember him.
The setting, Paris mid autumn, made me fall in love again with that city. The cinematography is perfect and it reveals a bit of why the city of sights, sound and forgivable sins is so attractive; it doesn't overshadow humans, it provides for them. Ending on another fine note with the song 'Not too Late' by Norah Jones sealed it for me. This is a serious movie for serious people, about life and I recommend it because of that for those who want to hug you'll feel like hugging after this movie.
Mr. Morgan, played by Michael Caine, lost his wife; the movie introduces her to us via the images in his mind throughout the movie, while he struggles through what is no longer life, no longer that is till a chance encounter on a bus with the almost reincarnation of the dear departed. He meets Pauline, played by Clémence Poésie, again on the bus not long after and a perplexing relation ensues, one hard to define and it would be futile to try. What the aging retired professor of philosophy had not come to terms with before the passing of his wife, Pauline helps him find it eventually, him and his son Miles.
The story is sombre in many scenes, hopeful in others and always thoughtful thanks to nice writing and fine performer's use of body language when mere words can't be enough or just too much. That is what I liked most about this movie, beautifully simple as it should be. Emotions will be triggered if you have an ounce of sympathy or empathy, but it's not over the top. Michael Caine's performance is one I'll remember as long as I remember him.
The setting, Paris mid autumn, made me fall in love again with that city. The cinematography is perfect and it reveals a bit of why the city of sights, sound and forgivable sins is so attractive; it doesn't overshadow humans, it provides for them. Ending on another fine note with the song 'Not too Late' by Norah Jones sealed it for me. This is a serious movie for serious people, about life and I recommend it because of that for those who want to hug you'll feel like hugging after this movie.