Rég nem szerelem

After Love is the French response to A Separation. Even though the film gives priority to the woman’s perspective, neither partner is portrayed as a villain who would try only to do harm. The problem with Marie and Boris is their unwillingness to listen to each other and their lack of desire to find a shared solution. Through their daughters, however, they not only wage war with each other, but occasionally find reconciliation (a convincingly constructed scene of them dancing together, which will probably make you just as sad as the central couple are that they can no longer be together). In competition with many other dramas about relationships past their expiration date, After Love tries to captivate with its unusual ordinariness. A significant part of the film is made up of the ordinary, everyday activities and interactions of several characters. However, the little things become excuses to bring up old grievances, resulting in conflicts and arguments. Without any major dramatic twists (the film ends with the only, slightly disturbing dramatic event), we gradually come to understand what brought the couple together before and what is driving them apart now (rather a lot of attention is paid to the economic situation of each of them). In my opinion, significant value added is brought to the film by its manner of filming in unusually long shots, with the camera reacting quickly to the characters’ movements, thanks to which the well-coordinated actors do not fall out of their roles (including both of the absolutely naturally acting girls). Despite its parameters of a stifling stage play (for the most part, it involves four actors in one house), the film doesn’t lack dynamism or lightness, and even while maintaining an unsentimental distance, it manages to draw you in, move you and possibly revive your own memories of the long and painful reverberations of what you once considered a constant in your life. 75% (2016.11.10)

Bérénice Bejo and Cédric Kahn got into their marital war at full speed. And even though the movie didn’t really explain why, it kept hinting that it’s got something to do with money and the house they live in. The French showcased how the humanity is dominated by the desire for money and the pursuit of an even bigger fish nowadays.I liked how the creators searched for the good and bad sides of both parents, supported it with some very strong dialogue moments and showed the impact it all has on their two children.At times, I thought to myself that as a spectator, I was witnessing the absolutely classic affected female behavior, but also the ignorant male approach. The French put on quite the show this time and I’m not going for five stars only because, in my opinion, there was almost no punchline at all. And this does not happen with French movies. (2016.12.15)

After Love is a film that is beautiful in its naturalness and ordinariness. I almost felt like I was peeking into the life of a real French family. Much of this is of course due to the performances of the adult actors, whose behavior at times felt desperately familiar. For me, one of the best French films... A strong 4 stars. (2016.12.09)