La Belle Epoque

A nice idea, with the excellent Auteuil and Ardant in a burnt-out marriage, where a spark or two can still be found. And the parallel story of the other couple, who are younger and have much more frequent rows because they lack years of experience is also fine. It's romantic in the French way, so infidelity is treated as par for the course. IN A NUTSHELL: How to resurrect old feelings using old tricks. (05/02/2023)

The concept is genuinely charming, and seeing Daniel Auteuil in such a delightful role never gets old. However, I struggled to understand the main character's mindset. He nostalgically returns to the best time of his life, getting somewhat lost in the sentimentality, only to eventually sort out his present-day issues. The ending is logical and expected, but the story unfolds in such an odd way that I couldn't really empathize with him or feel any deep emotions. Despite the ending begging for a stronger emotional response, it just didn't hit me that way. (11/07/2022)

Today's hectic times are not for everyone. While Marianne rejects ageing and lives in symbiosis with technological progress, her husband Victor does not understand the modern world, nor does he find meaning or fulfilment in it, but thanks to his son, he gets the chance to return to the past. Don't expect spaceships, light-speed travel to distant dimensions, or star portals. All it takes are sets, precisely instructed actors and a meticulous director who will drive everyone crazy just to ensure the perfect authenticity of the situation and thus your satisfaction. All Victor needs to do is to chose the era and a specific moment, and he chooses a particular week in the 1970s when he met the love of his life, Marianne – he’s going back to his own Belle Époque. The rest is something you should see. The performances cannot fail to entertain – Daniel Auteuil as the likable but jaded Victor, Fanny Ardant as the vivacious and sassy Marianne, Guillaume Canet as the choleric and pedantic director Antoine, and last but not least Doria Tillier as the talented and charming actress Margot, who plays the young Marianne in Victor's Belle Époque. This film overflows with wit, but also a pleasant melancholy, while delivering a great range of emotions as well. Nicolas Bedos has undoubtedly enriched the world of comedy with this novel and fresh premise. (02/15/2020)

Although this slightly bitter comedy La Belle Epoque takes some time to get going, once Daniel Auteuil sheds his greying beard and becomes a charming dandy in his prime again, the nostalgic story gains momentum and things start to happen... Now hand on heart, who among us wouldn't want to go back to the time when they met the love of their life and the world looked so carefree? I certainly did, which means I just had to like this movie. (80%) (10/18/2022)

A beautiful, moving and original French film. Daniel Auteuil receives a gift voucher from an agency that can transport their clients to any historical period and allow them to meet any personality. The protagonist decides that he would like to relive his first date with his wife in the 1970s. Once again the French are very original and creative, the humour was tamer, but it was worth it for the great acting (Doria Tillier is excellent!), the magical atmosphere and the good dose of emotion. A nice film to watch. Story****, Action>No, Humor***, Violence>No, Entertainment****, Music***, Visuals****, Atmosphere****, Suspense>No. 7/10. (05/06/2020)