Happy New Year

With every new film by Claude Lelouch, the French director climbs up my chart, and I have no choice but to include him in my top favorites. It is a case of quality clever filmmaking that doesn't spare the viewer, so even in a genre film, it must engage your brain. A quality screenplay combined with an excellent cast and sensitive direction gave rise to a crime story combined with a love story. As is customary for Lelouch, from the first scene, he pays tribute to the art of cinema, as convicts watch a film screening and, in several dialogues, the characters discuss their relationship with films. Thematically, Lelouch builds upon his earlier film A Man and a Woman. This time, however, he places his story in a more attractive framework of the preparation of a crime. Pleasant and credible dialogues, subtle gags, and a decent pace. Overall impression: 90%. Lelouch doesn't make bad movies, but so far, I have only given his past films four strong stars. This time, with a clear conscience, I give five. (11/17/2008)