I should write this review in french, but there's no way in hell I'm going to spend two hours smacking my head against a table until cool verbs and correct sentence structures come to mind. So if you're French and wanted a french review, I'm sorry.
Aurelie Laflamme: Les pieds sur la terre is standard adolescent cinema; the sort that sees you and your group of friends - it would be a shame to watch a film like this alone - laughing at every silly line, moaning at every dumb decision, judging each character with appropriate vehemence, and all secretly locked with unspoken terror to the screen, wondering how on earth the film can ever resolve in a manner both plausible and satisfying. This taken with impressive technique and an occasional burst of gleeful surrealism makes the film an altogether enjoyable and good-natured experience, even if the plot eventually falls into utter confusion by the end.
The film takes place two years after the events of the first film (although it was released six years later). Aurelie is in her final year of high school and in the process of choosing what she wants to do with her life. Of course, she has to deal with this on top of growing pains, romantic frustration, increased pressure, a mystifying love triangle, school marks, a new dad, a job, and the list goes on ad infinitum. For a little independent film that spans 113 minutes, the multiple plot lines and conflicts prove difficult to resolve within the running time, some left hanging and others wrapped up with all the delicacy of a sledgehammer. As Aurelie progresses through the year, certain conflicts arise and friendships are tested -- you know, standard teen cinema kind of stuff. And as with standard teen cinema, some of it is unnecessarily laced with jarring "wisdom", while other bits are frustratingly vapid, especially Aurelie's interactions with Aubrey (her "enemy" throughout the film) and JB (some random dude who isn't actually Justin Bieber).
This notwithstanding, I thought the film was good. The dialogue is occasionally quite intelligent, and many of the performances -- notably including Marianne Verville, who is perfectly cast and acts with lovable enthusiasm -- are surprisingly good. The direction is also impressive; the film gleams with an obvious technical ability absent from many indie films. It's a great film to watch with friends, preferably those who tend to get vocal when watching films, because it's a film that's fun to get vocal about. Whether or not on purpose, many of the characters are shaded in ambiguity, making it especially easy to take sides and place bets on the outcome.
My issues with the film are significant, but I can't deny that I had a good time with it, even to the point of shedding a few - but only a few - tears at its conclusion. I applaud Ms. Verville and Mr. Tremblay on their respective performances, as well as Mr. Monette's stellar direction, and wish them all the best in the business.
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