Jeux d'enfants (2003)
Directed by Yann Samuell

Film Review

Yann Samuell's bizarre romantic comedy begins as what looks like an apprentice filmmaker's take on Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2002), complete with irritating zooms, over-saturated photography and children acting unconvincingly as adults.  Once you manage to get past this off-putting prelude, the film settles into what looks more like traditional French comedy drama, albeit one which takes a few uncomfortable black comedic turns.  Sympathetic performances from Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard provide some emotional realism and prevent the whole thing from collapsing into a wash of forced sentimentality and whimsy.  Whilst Jeux d'enfants can be irksome in places, it is also strangely compelling and even entertaining.  Unfortunately, the ambiguous double ending robs the film of the magic it somehow manages to summon up in its last twenty or so minutes.

Film Synopsis

Julien and Sophie deal with the traumas and tragedies of life by competing in a dare game which tests the limits of both their nerve and their friendship.  They met when they were small children, at the time when Julien's mother was dying from an inoperable cancer.  Ever since they have been the closest of friends, living by their own rules and not caring what the world thinks of them.  By the time they are both 18 their dare games have become more cruel and dangerous.  Then they go their separate ways and meet up a year later.  This is when Julien reveals he has met his ideal woman and intends to marry her.  Sophie can hardly believe this news.  She had thought she and Julien would be together forever.  Deeply hurt, she does everything she can to sabotage the wedding, but fails.  It is another ten years before Julien realises the mistake he has made.  Comfortably settled with a wife and mortgage, Julien now finally realises that there is only one person he loves - but where is she now?  What has become of Sophie...?