REVIEW of film: “HEARTBEATS” [ = Report # 15 re 46th CIFF ]

REVIEW of film: “HEARTBEATS”  [ = Report # 15 re 46th CIFF ]

               REPORT # 15 on the 46^th CHICAGO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL =     

In my previous Report # 14, I gave you some background on the writer / director XAVIER DOLAN regarding his 2^nd feature film, “HEARTBEATS”.  In this, I’m going to REVIEW that movie (which is mainly in French with English subtitles):

…  Francis (XAVIER) is a young straight-acting, non-effeminate gay man who has a tattoo on his upper right shoulder saying “BELIEVE”.  His sort of best friend is Marie (MONIA CHOKRI) who likes to dress very STYLISHLY as she meanders thru the Montreal area… 

…  As our story opens, she’s accused Xavier of having caused her to be ROBBED, since he allowed a guy to stay in her apartment & he seemingly took a bunch of her things (& left a note in German).  Francis denies responsibility…  In time, we learn that Xavier & Marie each have some casual lovers, & each is looking for something “deeper”.  At one point, a comment is made that, “She’s like Glenn Close in ‘FATAL ATTRACTION’…”… 

…  Periodically thru the movie, we see a gay guy who keeps expounding to the camera on Kinsey’s report on the “TYPES” of peoples’ sexual preferences--  heterosexual, homosexual, various “combination” tendencies, etc.  He also offers “close-up” comments on some specific people he “knows”… 

…  Other people (such as a young woman in thick glasses) ALSO offer monologues on & off during the film, usually about their relationship experiences (& in the case of the “glasses” girl, the PROBLEMS they’ve had in that regard)…  When various “meaningful” scenes come up, they’re often accompanied by loud MUSIC in the background (with the song “Bang, Bang” recurring regularly)…

…  Eventually, we get to the main gist of the film:  people are congregating around a table at seemingly a bar / restaurant. Almost everyone is SMOKING (as Xavier & Monia do thruout the film), & everyone’s attention is drawn to a charismatic guy described as a “blond Adonis” who’s new to the group.  His name is Nicolas (NIELS SCHNEIDER), he’s just moved into town, he’s very charming-- & both Xavier & Monia appear to be sexually ATTRACTED to him…

…  Xavier & Monia are eager to talk with Niels, & he sort of “confuses” them by being warm & demonstrative with BOTH of them, causing both to be “hopeful” about a future relationship with him--  but UNSURE where his “interest” lies…  Sometimes Niels’ musings (such as about “Manichean”) confuse Monia & Xavier… 

…  The three start spending more & more time together, & when Niels is invited to stay over because it’s late & they’re drunk one nite, he’s happy to lay BETWEEN them (in a NON-sexual way) on a large bed after volunteering that, “I like the middle—”…  He does that fairly regularly, is generally “affectionate” towards both--  & both grow increasingly “hopeful” & confused as they try to act “appealing” to him…       

…  Niels reveals that he does seismology work;  it’s somewhat irregular, but, when he works, he works like 92 hours a week & earns a lot of money (like $ 1300 weekly)--  tho he lives sort of “simply”…  He often spends time with Xavier & Monia, both alone & in outings with all three of them (such as playing “Hide & Seek”)…  They also attend Niels’ BIRTHDAY party, where he has a lot of friends of both sexes & various sexual “persuasions” (which makes him increasingly “mysterious” to the other 2 main characters)…

…  As their separate interests in Niels become more intense, Xavier & Monia eagerly accept Niels’ invitation to join him at an aunt’s empty country place near a lake.  Niels & Monia both speak of their love for Audrey Hepburn, particularly concerning her movie “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”...  For her own “agenda”, Monia privately tells Niels she feels Xavier is a very “sensitive” person & “a ROMANTIC” who “IMAGINES things”…

…  But Monia grows jealous at what she perceives to be too much attention being paid towards Xavier by Niels, & that causes a lot of UPSETS.  Other disturbances are caused by Xavier’s “misunderstanding” Niels & his “intentions”… 

…  Due to problems between various “sides” of the relationship (including disagreements about a play), things become “STRAINED” amongst them all, & their associations become very “on & off” over a period of more than 2 years, which drives both Xavier & Monia “crazy”… 

…  After a period of silence from Niels, each eventually have a sort of “CONFRONTATION” with him.  Will Niels choose to be really “with” Xavier or Monia--  or with both, or neither?!...  Will someone NEW who seems “special” enter the lives of any (or all) of them?...  

…  The movie is a fascinating “WINDING” tale of the complexity of relationships, both individual & in “groups”.  As in life, things don’t always go “smoothly” or “logically”.  I found a number of the set images, costumes, actions & ideas to be “STRIKING” in concept and execution…

…  While the “commentator” musings of various people outside the Group Of Three are at times “rambling”, they’re often INTRIGUING & at times work as sort of a “counterpoint” to what’s going on in the “linked” relationships between Xavier, Monia & Niels…

…  This love-triangle movie is not “perfect”.  There’s a great deal that’s been put “INTO” the film, making it complex (and some people might find certain elements to be “too much”).  Not everything “works”, but many of them do, & it’s on the basis of the overall CREATIVITY & good efforts shown in so many different areas that I give the film a rating of 8.50 out of 10 stars for its creator-- who appears to be working to a “different drummer” in his filmmaking…

…  On October 2, Niels & the film “team” were scheduled to be in Namur, Belgium, since “Heartbeats” was competing in the International Festival of Francophone Film, after which it was scheduled tol screen in Brussels...

…  The 95-minute film is set for U.S. release on February 1, 2011...  

[ Note that Xavier’s first film, the award-winning "I KILLED MY MOTHER", is scheduled to be shown on Saturday, November 6th at 7:15 PM during the REELING 29 Film Festival at the Landmark Century theater # 7 at 2828 N. Clark Street in Chicago  ]