If you are anticipating a run-of-the-mill film review, I am sorry. If you are expecting to know more about the plot just from reading the review than watching the film, I am sorry. And if the avant-garde stylings of the Nouvelle Vague are a bit much for your palate, I am very very sorry. But hey, this isn't an attack on you my beloved reader... I am just doing what this stylish and unconventional rom-com did to me. Here I am back to writing amidst all the chaos of life - a Film Review of "Whenever I Am Alone with You."
IMDB Page: Whenever I Am Alone with You (2023)
From the get-go, Whenever I Am Alone with You' had me hooked, never once loosening its grip. Crafted by the dynamic duo of actor-filmmakers, Guillaume Campanacci and Vesper Egon, this isn't your typical rom-com story. It kicks off with a warning — a directive to obliterate any preconceived notions.
Initial Thoughts
When I was tasked with reviewing this film, the filmmakers introduced it with some intriguing labels—calling it a "Gogardian punk anti-romantic comedy."These descriptors immediately set the tone for my viewing experience and decoding these very labels became my sole mission. With the weight of numerous awards and its remarkable success at film festivals worldwide, my expectations were already elevated. Moreover, being approached by the filmmaker, Guillaume Campanacci, for this review left me feeling immensely grateful and somewhat bewildered. How did he stumble upon me? and if he hadn't, I would have never stumbled upon this captivating film either. Perhaps my perception of the French New Wave would have been entirely different. These questions lingered as I delved into the messy world of the film.
What is happening?
This film spins the tale of an improbable duo intertwined in unfulfilling relationships, seeking solace in each other's company. As they navigate the intricacies of life, they find themselves at a juncture where they possess the potential to fulfill each other's deepest desires. Yet, life doesn't mirror the simplicity of fairy tales—there's no straightforward script of boy meets girl, girl meets boy, and they waltz off into eternal bliss. Instead, the tapestry of our lives unfurls, revealing the complexities of our aspirations, dreams, past mistakes, emotions, familial ties, and responsibilities. Being in a relationship serves as a mirror, reflecting the flaws and intricacies of not only our partners but perhaps ourselves too. And if one struggles to embrace these imperfections, perhaps it isn't meant to be.
Quintessential French-ness
Stepping back from the alluring world of French New Wave, Whenever I Am Alone with You emerges as a lovechild of La La Land and Toni Erdmann in my eyes. The tints of romance are underscored by quintessentially French humour and the strangeness of human interaction especially in a family dynamic.
The incorporation of elaborate dinner table scenes involving the entire family. This aspect prompted me to ponder the authenticity of the fictional nature and whether the dynamics of the family seamlessly seeped from real life into the film's narrative, lending it a distinct and unique style.
The film elucidates its concept through its captivating and distinctive mise en scène, a culmination of various inspirations from film history. However, for viewers unversed in the intricacies of artistic conventions of French experimental cinema, this journey may prove unsettling and discomforting. Yet, I believe such a reaction was the filmmakers' precise intention. Using rapid editing, shifts in colour palette, non-linear narrative structures, documentary elements, and sumptuously stylised visuals, they craft an experience that is simultaneously visually gratifying and disconcerting.
It is a delicate balance of beauty and unease—an homage to cinematic influences that permeate every frame, evoking the palpable passion invested by the filmmakers.
In essence, "Whenever I Am Alone with You" challenges conventional storytelling, inviting viewers to embrace its idiosyncrasies and discover the beauty within its unconventional narrative.
Final Thoughts
From the perspective of an audience member, certain story elements may appear disjointed on the surface, yet as a fellow film enthusiast and filmmaker, I found them deeply enjoyable. While I could grasp the underlying rationale behind these choices, I acknowledge that this unconventional approach may not resonate with everyone. Take, for instance, the montage sequences set to music, depicting the couple's escapades—a departure from traditional narrative structures. However, I interpret these sequences as a visual manifestation of the transformative power of love, capturing the uninhibited joy experienced in the company of a cherished companion.
In essence my film review of "Whenever I Am Alone with You" says that this film challenges conventional storytelling, inviting viewers to embrace its idiosyncrasies and discover the beauty within its unconventional narrative.
Hope you enjoyed reading it :)