toronto film festival: day 3

argh! blogger died on me just when i pressed publish so i'm going to just write about the only movie i liked today (walked out of citizen duane and fast forwarded through a screener copy of the finnish/chinese, fantasy/martial arts film jade warrior)

l'homme de sa vie(the man of my life) brings together the scenario of a friendship developed between a happily married man (comedian bernard campan - who i have a big crush on) and his gay neighbour (charles berling) during a summer retreat.

with the french countryside as the films gorgeous visual backdrop, the lazy atmosphere allows an intimate conversation between the two men that evolves into a special connection that changes everyone's world forever.

'the man of my life' is the 1st movie i've seen this festival that has me a bit torn on how i feel about it. one aspect, observing a bond developing between two adult men that have opposite preferences and issues is pure joy (just watching the honest sensitivity and emotional transformation applied by the actors is impressive). but on the other hand the final outcome seems a bit like fantasy wish-fulfillment and really rubs me the wrong way.

the main quality that redeems this picture is the fact that the characters are all flawed and to blame. intellectually, and finally emotionally, going with the changes in their lives, the idyllic relationships that begin all neatly tied up, unravel by the end.

i was so torn about this film that at dinnertime i was still discussing it with other people that saw it. i guess this is the movie to beat.