L'homme da sa vie (The Man of My Life) - 2006

Closing film of the 22nd French Film Festival at Alliance Française. Interesting take on a happily married couple who invites their gay neighbour to join a family dinner. The ensuing dialogue between the husband and his neighbour forms the recurring theme of the film that challenges perceptions of domestic life, love and the imperfection of interpersonal relations.



The plot went a lot further than Brokeback Mountain with an awakening that extended beyond the sexual level. Conversations about relationships being a trap; how falling in love means falling onto the ground and hurting yourself.



The husband played by Bernard Campan was a likeable foil who struggled to articulate his insecurities about being a father and a man to the more intellectually stirring neighbour, Charles Berring.



There were some glorious (and surreal) scenes of the French countryside, interesting technical shots. The film needed some careful editing and was a tad too long but it worked. Satisfying watch.