Félix et Lola (2001)
Directed by Patrice Leconte

Film Review

Patrice Leconte once more demonstrates his uncanny diversity as a filmmaker, eschewing the pretty romanticism of his earlier romantic dramas for a darker, more realistic cinematic form.  Félix et Lola is certainly more naturalistic than Leconte's earlier work, referencing the minimalist style of Robert Bresson's Mouchette (1967) and the gritty urban fairytale that is Leos Carax's Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (1991).   Although the film is well made and features some attractive, credible performances from Charlotte Gainsbourg and Philippe Torreton, it is far less satisfying than Leconte's previous forays into the romantic drama genre.  The threadbare plot and an inconclusive ending are the film's biggest failings, but it is also apparent that this kind of raw post noir realism is not Leconte's natural style.

Film Synopsis

Félix, a dodgem car operator at a busy fairground, finds himself strangely drawn to one of his customers, an attractive young woman named Lola.  By leading Félix to believe that her mother is chronically ill Lola soon gains his sympathies and within no time he feels he is hopelessly in love with her.  Lola is soon working alongside Félix, but when she recognises a face in the crowd she suddenly runs off in fright.  The young woman encounters the same man later that evening - he works in a dancehall as a singer.  Lola returns to Félix and, feeling safe in his company, they spend the night together.

Not long afterwards, Félix notices a suspicious looking man prowling around his dodgems stand.  After her new boyfriend has been beaten up by a gang of thugs, Lola feels she must tell him her sad story.  Before she met Félix, she was in a relationship with the singer and they had a child together.  Now their son is six years old and the singer refuses to allow his mother to see him.  Lola asks Félix to prove his love for her by murdering the singer in cold blood.  Armed with a gun, Félix heads for the dancehall and appears willing to carry out his beloved's request, but before he can do so Lola forces herself to tell him the truth...