Just
A Sigh (2013/Icarus DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: D Film: C+
For
fans of romance that aren't run of the mill, there's Just a Sigh
(2013, aka Le temps de l'aventure), the new film from director
Jerome Bonnell (Le Chignon D'Olga) that is finally finding its
way onto disc thanks to Icarus Films.
Sigh
is an interesting film that echoes the work of Francois Truffaut
(specifically The Woman Next Door) and is a natural love story
that also reminds me of Richard Linklater's superior romance series,
the Before Sunrise trilogy in that it is a Parisian romance
and takes place between two strangers who meet by chance.
Starring
Gabriel Byrne and Emmanuelle Devos (Desplechin's Christmas Tale)
in two great performances, the film feels very organic and is equally
parts whimsical and romantic.
A
lovesick stage actress named Alix (Devos) ends up on a train to Paris
heading for an audition, where she by chance meets Doug (Byrne) a
literature professor who is also a passenger onboard. As sparks fly
and the two immediately fall in love, a romance transfers that
results in a proposition to make things permanent. Alix must decide
on the importance of love with someone to whom she just met, while
contending with her other emotions.
The
film is presented in standard definition with a 1.85:1 widescreen
aspect ratio and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 French track with English
subtitles. While we get nothing too detailed in terms of
presentation, the film could obviously be improved with a high
definition transfer.
No
extras.
Well
made and interesting acted, Just a Sigh isn't too
groundbreaking of a story but poses some interesting questions about
romance that isn't too over the top or sappy as one might expect.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
