Customer Reviews

The Things of Life

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This review refers to "les choses de la vie" ...

A wonderful French drama from 1969, it doesn't take long, upon the view, to realize, that "les choses de la vie"(from a novel by Paul Guimard) was the original screenplay that the American Film "Intersection" was based on. "Intersection", with Richard Gere, Sharon Stone and Lolita Davidovich, was a very good film, and I enjoyed it very much. This one though, is a really fine piece of filmmaking, and is quite a step up artistically from it's newer version.

The film opens at the scene of a horrific, and freak auto accident. A man thrown from his vehicle, lays dieing and reflecting on his life and loves up to this point. Thoughts of his wife and family and his lover flash through his mind. We watch as the film rolls back through the events that brought him here.

Well crafted by Director Claude Sautet, the story is beautiful, and the filming exquisite. During the accident scene, done first in slow-mo,and then in real time, your heart will be in your throat. It stars Romy Schneider in the role that Davidovich played, and Michel Piccoli, in Gere's role. There is a wonderful chemistry going on between them, and you can't help being moved by these wonderful performances. Adding their talents are Jean Boffety(cinematography) and Philippe Sarde(music), making this film an all around joy to view. A taut drama, it runs about an hour and a half.

This DVD is a, Region 2 format(Japan, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, including Egypt). So your DVD player must be compatible to that. I did not see a DVD for Region 1(U.S. Canada) available yet.There is however a VHS available that is in the NTSC format for VHS(U.S.). Even if you don't speak French, but enjoy foreign films, you may want to have a look at this beautiful film depicting the fragility of life. Especially if you have already seen "Intersection" and know the story. Highly recommended for a beautiful cinematic experience. If interested in the VHS edition(French only/no subititles) enter the ASIN of: B000A0EWUY in the product search.

The things of life....enjoy!
Merci Beaucoup.....Laurie

At the risk of sounding trite, this film has similarities to Seinfeld in that it is film about nothing other than the relationship between some ordinary, decent, slightly flawed people. It has a car crash but this is more of a dramatic device, and on rewatching there are other more dramatic plot lines that could have been explored and which other films might have. This film gently lets the dramatic stories fall away and instead draws us into the dreams and stories that each relationship creates.

The film contrasts the things that make a love with the things that mark love's cold absence; and at times it explores the occasionally brutal journey between the two.

The film is uncomplicated and does not use heavy handed metaphors or symbols. Filled with meaning yet the meaning is left for the viewer to extrapolate. If you have ever been fascinated by wild flowers, stylish cars, the smell of grass, the buzz of a fly, wind and rain, cigarettes, love, scarves, the sea, friends, dappled light or reflected light this film will have some meaning for you. Much is left unsaid and the film does not judge. The director, Claude Sautet, is not forcing an interpretation, instead, through meticulous and efficient portrayal of everyday detail he invites the viewer to interpret for themselves.

The film finishes with a sophisticated act of decency showing true respect for lovers - rarely seen and typically French perhaps.

The first shot of the film shows us a pompous car accident in a marvelous slow motion sequence. And gradually through magnificent flashbacks, we will realize about the lives and time of this simple man, his love affairs through magnificent combination of lights where we can concatenate finely until his last suspire.

After you watch it, go for Intersection, and you will realize the difference.

A winner film of the prestigious prize Louis Delluc, 1970.

Get this film today and suspend time as you see a fantastic story with love and tenderness. A man's life falls apart but the finish is so good, best ever. Makes you want to enjoy ever day you have to the full.

Les Chose De La Vie is a masterpiece of a film. And as always Romy Schneider is luscious to watch. This will keep you thinking about it long after the film's credits are gone.