Heartbeats (2011)

Simply A Masterpiece

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Les amours imaginaires is more of an artistic endeavour rather than a film of much substance. In this film, Dolan gets to showcase his various directorial tricks which include long slow-motion shots with electrifying and captivating music playing over, flashing lights that display a scene as if it's taken out of a music video. These tricks however, as visually appealing and intriguing as they are to watch, do not do much to help this otherwise fairly empty plot and minimal character development. Essentially, Dolan has created a very pretty and stylish film about 2 people that infatuate over a boy, who continues to lead them on throughout the film only to finally come to the realisation he wasn't interested in them at all. The degree of obsession these characters develop for this guy, to the point where it turns them bitter and spiteful to each other, makes these characters slightly pathetic and unappealing especially given the fact that none of the 2 manage to develop any kind of actual chemistry or friendship with this person. On top of that the reason behind Nicolas' (the source of infatuation) over-the-top playfulness and flirtatiousness that ends up misguiding our characters in regards to his feelings towards them is never truly explained or justified. What are the reasons for this guy befriending these 2 people to this extent when none of the 2 seem to be any fun to hang out with? Having said this, the main positive aspect of the movie is that it provides a platform for the director to showcase his many talents using vibrant colours and scenery as well as elegant camera angles and shots. The movie is almost entirely comprised of musical clips, that feature the characters in slow motion shots and allow the director to express himself through hipsteristic styles (vibrant, eccentric costumes and highly stylistic sets) while still managing to bring out a bit of the characters' personalities and motivations, giving an artistic edge and aesthetic to this film that stays with you after it's finished. Note: It is interesting to see how Dolan is influenced by other directors and how small integral parts of other films he admires get embedded into his own films; His character in this movie for example expresses his disdain towards Nicolas at the end of the film in a very similar way to River Phoenix's character in My Own Private Idaho in the café scene.

Nothing new transpires here, a boy and girl fall for the same boy who's new in town, a vacant hunk exuding aftershave ad sex. I question why either of these two very spirited beings would waste their time so, but the film isn't made from a point in life where choices have cosmic import, it still has time and youth to spare, wounds to receive, a blank first page to be written on.The filmmaker was barely 20 years old when he made this. What shall we say to him, why don't you have the soul of a 50 year old? It's enough that he is creative, more so than most of us at that point. He's the main actor, writer, and, it seems, the fashion eye behind the whole thing, the one who would have the sense to put his leading girl in the vintage dress, himself in the fiery red jacket. The film is empty, in the sense French New Wave is, which this derives inspiration from. It offers the amalgamation of moments, breaking up story to re-arrange fragments of it in a room that characters walk through. A lot of it is simply stylized, more directly via Wong Kar Wai; languid smoke, slow motion walking in the rain, pensive touch. A lot is simply a matter of having the fashion sense to coordinate colors and bodies of image, music video inspired.It does reach me a bit vacant. But that's all part of the life lived up to that point, not omission by ignorance. I'll have this than attempts at forced professionalism in the hopes of landing a Hollywood gig. It's vacancy in the sense of a capacity to be filled by all the stuff that come with baring soul. Who knows, in time he may grow out of dressing the seduction, or not. But you'll see here someone who has a natural fondness for people, how faces can give away a hint of inmost troubles, reluctance, awkwardness, glimmers of yearning. It shows an interested human being who wants to find that elusive life no words ever do justice, only breath. The most fundamental tool in creative life (and any life that wants to perceive clearly, be alert to its surroundings) is a love for observing. This seems much harder to learn than all the other things. He has this and I'm happy to make the acquaintance.

Les Amours Imaginaires – Heartbeats – CATCH IT (B) Les Amours Imaginaires is a second movie directed by very young Xavier Dolan, who has directed critically acclaimed "I Killed My Mother". His previous directorial venture was very dark and touches a weird topic of a son hating her mother so much that he wishes her death as he finds his mother very cold and harsh towards him. Xavier again directed an unconventional yet comparatively lighter topic of two best friends Marie and Francis falling in love with a same angelic guy Nicholas. The movie is a sexy stylish look into this friend's life who gets jealous from each other and try their best to get the attention of Nicholas. Who is so lost in his own world and friendly love for them that he never realizes that from beginning to end these both Boy and girl are fighting for his affection. The weird part is that Marie and Francis are friends only because they have the same thoughts towards society and they don't have anyone other significant in life who can understand them. That's why even they are jealous of each other they know there won't be anyone else who can understand them. Xavier Dolan has directed a sensual sexy stylish movie though at times it's stalled and doesn't seem like moving forward at all. His performance is good. Monia Chokri is great, she is strong and different. Niels Schneider is angelic and that's the whole purpose of him. He is effortless and charming no wonder both friends fall head over heals for him. It wasn't sexual but just that strong infatuation to get his attention. The soundtrack of the movie is simply amazing and it will stick in to your heads long after the movie is over. In the end, everyone once in their life time gets infatuated by someone. And then in the end after some time you are shocked and realize that was it really worth all that attention and time?

Francis is gay and his close friend Marie is straight, two little things that threaten to tear the friendship apart when at a dinner party they meet 'Adonis' like Nicholas. Both feel an instant attraction to the blond curly haired beauty who seems to exude sexuality, passion and an artistic creative side. The attraction grows as the trio becomes firm friends, spending more and more time together and Francis and Maris both try to impress Nicholas by dressing like his favorite movie stars or hanging out in places he might be and then pretending it's just chance when they meet.Nicholas though never states a defined interest in either playing ambiguously towards the two leading them to have little idea where they stand. As the friendship progress's the two sleep with partners in the hope of gaining some sexual satisfaction elsewhere when they can't have it where they really want it and all the time the pangs of jealousy grow stronger between the two as each bids for Nicholas' affections.This second feature from Canadian Xavier Dolan is a far cry from his debut (I Killed My Mother), which I found a grating and dire experience. In contrast this is a brilliant portrait of unrequited love that perhaps anyone can relate to. As a film maker, there is no doubt that Dolan had talent and in this film it really shines. The film is as frustrating though as it is funny and real; Dolan populates his film with beautiful 'trendsetters' who at times look like a bunch of espresso swilling bourgeois idiots and that I found annoying and there are times when it falters on some clichéd territory. Yet this is outweighed by fine performances, great camera work, including some nice slow motion shots and a brilliant visual impact with it's array of costumes and in some sequences bright colour. Dolan also douses his film with some vibrant and perfect musical choices that at times add to the realism of the plot.And it's that plot that works so well; everyone has felt an attraction to someone and gone out of their way to 'impress' them in the hope they might make something unrequited become less so. The ability to be able to relate makes for an at times painful but also very very funny film and whilst it does have some faults this is a really solid and wonderful film.More of my reviews at my site iheartfilm.weebly.com