L'EQUIPIER (2004) 

Based on a true story, L'Equipier ("The Light") is a wonderful, old-fashioned French drama featuring excellent performances and especially an acute sense of milieu which is a rarity nowadays. Set in Ouessant, a remote island off the coast of Brittany, the film starts off with a young woman who returns to the island to sell her family home. She soon learns about a man who came to this island in 1963 and changed things forever. The film goes back in time and we witness that an Algerian war vet, Antoine (Grgori Derangre Bon Voyage), has arrived in this close-knit community to replace a deceased lighthouse operator, much to the chagrin of the other workers. While it doesnt take long for him to become the object of infatuation for a local beauty (milie Dequenne Rosetta), he only has eyes for Mab (Sandrine Bonnaire Vagabond), the wife of his co-worker, Yvon (Philippe Torreton Une nouvelle vie). Beautifully paced from the very start, L'Equipier gradually unfolds as we discover the complex sentiments of these characters simply trying to cope with life. The off-putting Yvon eventually finds a liking to Antoine, and so does his wife. However, others arent so willing, and would prefer if his stay isnt very long. Nominated for 3 Csar Awards (French "Oscars") -- Best Actor (Torreton), Best Supporting Actress (Dequenne), and Best Music (Nicola Piovani) -- L'Equipier is directed by Philippe Lioret, a longtime veteran of the industry. His moody and richly metaphoric visuals add much to the proceedings by heightening the film from its conventional structure (it certainly helps that the film was shot entirely on location). But ultimately its the nuanced emotions displayed by these characters that make us feel like weve known these people for a lot longer than we actually have.

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*English subs are included on the French DVD which was released in May.
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It's an intriguing mix of films.

L'Esquive shouldn't be missed. Same goes for Son frre and Strayed. (I think I've posted about a couple of them on this site, if not I'll add 'em.) However, I wouldn't classify these films as "crowd pleasers." I saw Banlieue 13 in Toronto, wasn't impressed.

To Paint or to make love actuallly played in-competition this year at Cannes, not in Directors' Fortnight as it is listed there.

Joyeux Nol will probably become a big hit everywhere.