dolorous interludes.

5X2 was a brilliant one.

5x2 shows five scenes from a modern marriage in reverse order: First, the divorce proceedings, then an unhappy dinner party, the birth of the couple's only son, the wedding and finally the first meeting. The effect of this is poignant, to see the slow disintegration of their relationship, evident from the intial calamity at the divorce scene, and ending in the morose shades of sunset romance. It moves the human spirit because of its clear reflection of the yearning backward glances we all give to our pasts.

But to say that this movie is simply about the cause and effect of a usual dysfunctional marriage is to undermine its beauty; what was left unsaid but conveyed through the series of scenes reflecting the undercurrent of tension and perpetual struggle to upkeep the marriage(or should i say love) was absolutely brilliant. It was so real, so subtle, and painful to watch.

The movie draws you in right from the beginning, where after their divorce was finalised, the couple (Marion and Gilles) repair to a hotel room for their final sex session that was obviously previously agreed upon. There, they struggle further; a horrible enactment of their dual, private hell.

It amazing to see how no one single event ruins a relationship, but rather, the slow and tideous process that carries seeds of destruction from a start that looked so promising insidiously tears two people away from each other. Both characters, Marion and Gilles are too human, and this really, adds to the sublime quality of this movie. A deeply impressive one without a doubt, apart from the rather fantastical scene of her making love to a stranger by the lake on her wedding night.

But that aside, this one definitely has to be added to my list of favourites.

posted by voyeur @ 11/11/2004 11:31:00 PM