La fabrique des sentiments

Given its modest ratings, I did not expect much of this movie. I had the pleasure of being proved wrong. The subject (or rather the basis) of the story is speed dating. Members of groups of men and women get to know each other cursorily in a seven minute conversation. The women remain seated, the men switch from one woman to another after each time interval (marked somewhat comically by a sort of stage director striking a triangle). Then they are free to make follow up appointments with one or several potential partners.

Eloïse (Elsa Zylberstein), a thirtysomething woman is attractive, elegant and reasonably charismatic. She is a successful property lawyer in Paris, lives in a spacious, tastefully decorated flat, drives a newish car and has a supportive group of friends. She also bonds warmly with her family. Nevertheless she has not been in a solid relationship for a long while, is lonely and yearns for a stable partner and her own family. She engages in speed dating and forges ephemeral relationships. The film is in part a satire of the business; perfect strangers try carefully thought out routines on each other that mix candor with pretense and playacting, sometimes amusingly.

What makes this movie different is the ending, where reality mixes with fantasy in an unexpected way. Acting is first rate, especially from Zylberstein; the whole film rests squarely on her shoulders and she is on screen in almost every scene. She rises to the challenge brilliantly. Production values are first rate and director Jean-Marc Moutout moves the action fluidly. Last but not least sappy songs (the bane of many recent French movies) are kept to a minimum. If we look for an objection, it would be that outstanding Palestinian actress Hiam Abbas is given a role below the measure of her skills. A movie worth watching.