Sep. 01, 2004|France|90 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: François Ozon’s 2004 film, *Five Times Two*, offers a profound exploration of a modern European marriage, revealing both its complexity and fragility. Known for his works like *Swimming Pool* and *Under the Sand*, Ozon delves into the mystery of relationships by presenting five pivotal moments in the life of Marion and Gilles, played by Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi and Stéphane Freiss. The narrative unfolds in reverse, starting with their divorce and tracing back to their first encounter, offering a unique perspective on the disintegration of their union.
The film begins with the couple’s divorce proceedings, followed by a tense dinner party, the birth of their child, their wedding, and finally, their initial meeting. This reverse chronology mirrors the way we often reflect on our own lives, looking back to understand how we arrived at certain outcomes. While the story provides insight into the couple’s dynamics, it also leaves gaps—four silences that invite the audience to piece together the untold chapters of their relationship. These missing moments add depth, much like unearthing layers of history that remain partially hidden.
Marion and Gilles’s marriage ends in anguish, culminating in a painful, pre-arranged encounter in a hotel room after their divorce. This scene is both intimate and heartbreaking, capturing the despair and emotional turmoil of their separation. Gilles’s final words, “It’s over. You won,” as he storms out, echo the bitterness and finality of their relationship. Ozon masterfully blends elements of Bergman’s intensity with a contemporary cynicism reminiscent of Michel Houellebecq, creating a compelling and nuanced portrayal of love and loss.
*Five Times Two* is not just a linear progression from effect to cause but a rich, layered examination of a relationship’s rise and fall. It leaves viewers with a thought-provoking meditation on the complexities of human connections.
Cast director: François Ozon
Cast actor: Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Stéphane Freiss, Géraldine Pailhas, Françoise Fabian, Antoine Chappey, Michael Lonsdale, Marc Ruchmann, Jason Tavassoli, Jean-Pol Brissart, Eliane Kherris
Original name: 5×2