Grande Ecole
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Movie Reviews of Grande Ecole
Movie Review: "I want to have the right to choose, as not to have to choose"
Summary: 5 Stars
It is the opening of the school year at a prominent business college for elite rich kids. "Grande Ecole", based on a play by Jean-Marie Besset, focuses on the lives of six young characters, their dreams, aspirations and desires. Paul (Gregori Baquet), and Agnes (Alice Taglioni), who have dated for some time and have an active sexual relationship, soon discover that desire often takes unexpected turns. Paul, a young man who has lived the straight life expected by society, begins to discover he has hidden desires for other men, namely one of his roommates, "Louis Arnoult" (Jocelyn Quivrin). Louis is strictly a straight man, athlete, and poised toward a life in the corporate world, with no desire to explore his feminine side. Soon after Paul begins realizing his deep attraction to Louis, Agnes also begins to figure it out and confronts Paul, making him a "fair deal". Whichever of the two can successfully seduce Louis first, wins. If she wins, Paul must give up on Louis and his gay desires, to live out his life loving only her. If she wins, she agrees to give up her love for Paul, and set him free. "The rule is to encourage competition" (to coin one of the many great quotes from this film), might be the best way to describe the character of Agnes. She is excited about the whole game she has contrived for the two to play. Paul on the other hand, refuses the bet initially, but wishes to rebel against all the strict norms his parents expect for him, and follow his heart to find the love that has been missing all his life.
In the end, the winner is decided, based on a lie, as neither were successful in their attempt, but what Agnes has somehow missed is that Louis was not the only threat to her relationship with Paul. This is a most powerful film topic, and the film gives an honest and thought provoking look into human complexities and desire. One great quote from this production is: "hetero, homo, that's all over, it's just about you". The quote is spoken by Mecir (Salim Kechiouche), a young Arab man who falls deeply in love with Paul. This is the concept for the whole film, that desire should not be based on gender, but rather on the heart, leaving each of us to explore our desire for love with men, women, or both, as our heart dictates, breaking down the expectations of society, instead of surrendering to the "norm" that has been engrained into each of us. The film also stars Arthur Jugnot as the third roommate, and Elodie Navarre, who plays as "Emmeline", Louis' girlfriend. I would personally have rather seen a more substantial and interesting role for Arthur Jugnot, or at least some steamy nudity with him. He was the only character who seemingly managed not to show any of his "assets" in the film. That being said, there is a LOT of wonderful male full frontal nudity in this film, which adds a great lot of eroticism. The story line is terrific, and powerful. The acting is superb from all six, especially the male roles. The downside without doubt would be the subtitles which make it hard to follow the film as the dialogue moves rather quickly. It would have been better with english dubbed voice-overs as opposed to the english subtitles. I truly loved this movie and all it's daring content. More thought provoking than the actual film, are the extras included on the DVD, such as the "scene deletions" which include a narrative read by Taglioni, that cuts to the bone of what this movie is all about. Unlike any I have seen in other films trying to make the same point, the writers viewpoint is expressed in great depth and feeling, in a manner that would challenge almost anyone's belief on love and gender roles in sexuality. Tastefully done, this is a film that warms the heart, opens the mind to individual desires and breaks away at the inhibitions and stereotypes that society imposes. A very attractive cast, great casting, audio, video, direction and production. If you like movies with a theme of this nature, and a lot of erotic male frontal nudity, I highly recommend "Grande Ecole" for your viewing.
Movie Review: The Best of Films
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally a French film that has everything going for it: a decent plot, good actors, beautiful camera work and a great soundtrack including a little Puccini thrown in for good measure. Directed by Robert Salis-- this one convinced me that I would watch any movie he is involved in-- "Grande Ecole" explores love/desire between the same sex, the opposite sex as well as love between different classes. Paul (Gergori Baquet) and Agnes (Alice Taglioni) and Louis (Jocelyn Quivrin) and Emeline are all students at a ritzy school of economics and destined to take their positions as the elite of French society. Then Paul meets Mecir (Salim Kechiouche), an Arab worker at the school. So now Paul is attracted to the handsome Arab. On the other hand he is attracted to Louis as well, to the point of stealing his underwear and wearing it. Then there is Agnes, who figures out right away what is going on with Louis. Of course Louis eventually discovers Paul's affair with Mecir.
Salis in a long and winding commentary included with the DVD says he is trying to show that desire has no gender. There is plenty of desire beautifully filmed in this stylized, choreographed movie. The characters to a person have flawless bodies and we see all of most of them in the highly erotic sex scenes. Sometimes the cinematography almost gets in the way of the plot as we are inundated with one gorgeous image after another (all that footage-- literally of the water polo team for example). Finally Kechiouche, thought easy on the eyes, is not believable as a laborer. There is one scene, for instance, where he is on a ladder, spills a bucket of paint and then descends with all the grace of a ballet dancer. House painter he is not. "Grande Ecole" is still, however, two hours of pure entertainment.
Movie Review: Worth watching
Summary: 5 Stars
Complex little film, good script, very good actors, many threads happening - the main theme is recognising that one is gay, dealing with it, all the confusion that can easily be part of this scenario and then accepting yourself for who you are. Basically it's the steps most gay people go through; here the setting is a very bourgeois elite private school in France. So in addition to gay issues, there is also a thread that deals with elite class snobbery versus working class folks.
I think many gay people will identify with some of the issues depicted; such as coming out to oneself, exploring same-sex relationship, first-time same-sex sex and coming out to those close to you. There is a very touching first-time gay sexual relationship that is shown and I find the whole experience very believable the way that it is portrayed as well as leading a double-life, hiding your true feelings... again many things that many gay people go through.
I enjoyed this film.
Movie Review: It should have more than five stars
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful film that deals beautifully with same sex relationships while social and racial barriers exist. Although it is set in France, it can apply to all countries where same sex relationships could be curtailed as a result of pressure from the outside. The director deals with the subject in a way that leaves the audience yearning for the two main subjects to solidify their relationship and live happily ever after. I have watched the film many times and with each viewing I learn something new from the rich storyline and screenplay. Also, the DVD extras are very informative and are a useful insight into the minds of the actors and director. I look forward to seeing more films by this director, Robert Salis and also the young French-Algerian actor, Salim Kechiouche.Movie Review: Wonderful viewing
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie makes for wonderful viewing. I found the dialogue over the top at times, even for a French movie,but the story is wonderfully told and acted and has a sad tone to it that moves one right to the last scene. Highly recommended and not only for art film buffs.Has some really beautiful men in it who are not shy about showing off their bodies but this does not distract from the strong story . I found the love scenes between them really believable and well acted. The extras on the dvd are really good.
Richard