Comparing Yann Samuell's debut film to "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," as some critics have done, might be giving this film a bit too much praise because Jacques Demy's classic is a marvel of filmmaking and is quite possibly the most romantic film ever made.
It's also drawn comparisons to "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" (2001), and although it boasts a comparably fantastical palette, "Jeux d'enfants" is nowhere near as cheery as that little wonder.
Nevertheless, Samuell's film is a fascinating, audacious, innovative and entertaining film about love and romance.
These days, Hollywood romantic comedies and dramas tend to stick to insipid, conventional storytelling starring either Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan. There's absolutely nothing daring or original about these films.
Samuell's film is that proverbial breath of fresh air for those of us longing to see something different - and good. This is a love story with an edge and will remain with you long after any Meg or Julia flick.
I'm not quite sure whether Samuell's made a film about how passionately romantic two people can be or whether this is a thinly veiled anti-romantic movie masquerading as a love story.
The cornerstone of romantic films is that both lovers are immensely likable characters. What Samuell brazenly does is give his two lovers - Julien Janvier and Sophie Kowalski - traits unconventional to the genre.
Julien and Sophie make you feel awfully uneasy about what they do. They're self-absorbed and their games often are cruel and nasty, even when aimed at each other. This level of viciousness is sudden and unexpected, not the sort of thing you expect in a romantic film, and definitely not what you would see in a Hollywood romantic-comedy.
The two lead performances are terrific. Despite their unlikable behavior, we fully understand what attracts these two individuals to each other. They're each the yin to the other's yang.
Samuell tops it all of with a bravura finale. Not only is it daring to employ such an unconventional and twisted denouement, but the ending also is open to interpretation - two people seeing the same film could easily differ on what it all means.
And that's just part of the beauty of this splendid film.
It's also drawn comparisons to "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" (2001), and although it boasts a comparably fantastical palette, "Jeux d'enfants" is nowhere near as cheery as that little wonder.
Nevertheless, Samuell's film is a fascinating, audacious, innovative and entertaining film about love and romance.
These days, Hollywood romantic comedies and dramas tend to stick to insipid, conventional storytelling starring either Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan. There's absolutely nothing daring or original about these films.
Samuell's film is that proverbial breath of fresh air for those of us longing to see something different - and good. This is a love story with an edge and will remain with you long after any Meg or Julia flick.
I'm not quite sure whether Samuell's made a film about how passionately romantic two people can be or whether this is a thinly veiled anti-romantic movie masquerading as a love story.
The cornerstone of romantic films is that both lovers are immensely likable characters. What Samuell brazenly does is give his two lovers - Julien Janvier and Sophie Kowalski - traits unconventional to the genre.
Julien and Sophie make you feel awfully uneasy about what they do. They're self-absorbed and their games often are cruel and nasty, even when aimed at each other. This level of viciousness is sudden and unexpected, not the sort of thing you expect in a romantic film, and definitely not what you would see in a Hollywood romantic-comedy.
The two lead performances are terrific. Despite their unlikable behavior, we fully understand what attracts these two individuals to each other. They're each the yin to the other's yang.
Samuell tops it all of with a bravura finale. Not only is it daring to employ such an unconventional and twisted denouement, but the ending also is open to interpretation - two people seeing the same film could easily differ on what it all means.
And that's just part of the beauty of this splendid film.