05/14/06 Love Me If You Dare

Love Me If You Dare (2003), directed by Yann Samuell

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Blockbuster) @ home

Winner of the Mother's Day poll created by Jenny (although I heard a rumor she's never seen this one), I wasn't sure what to expect from this French film. I was completely surprised with how much I loved this freakishly tainted love story. First off, just the colorfully visual style of the cinematography is very reminiscent of Jeunet's work like "Amelie." Sort of a magical realism. Then, the major theme of the film is love...yes. However, there is a certain amount of hate or lust or sado-masochism to the story...well all of the above. Based upon two young lovers (Julien and Sophie) who in childhood become fast friends in their respective dysfunctional families, and manifest their sexually charged feelings in an odd game of dare between the two. Constantly trying to one-up each other with dares that range from prankster to twisted, they form a tight bond which carries through adulthood. Upon adulthood, the couple begin to attempt more than just the "harmless" pranks that caused them joy to escape pain. Now, they are truly trying to avoid the fact that both of them are destined to be with each other by inflicting spiteful emotional head games, and vastly skewing their ideas of reality and happiness. Taking the whole love/hate thing to a heightened level of uneasiness, the French really know how to inflict ruthless romance. However wicked this game seems, keep in mind it's only a movie...and a wonderfully different one at that. I'm not quite sure why this was an option for Mother's Day in particular...but all I can say is, please don't forget to tell your mother how much you love her...and never watch this one with her. It could be awkward. Hell, maybe it's a metaphor for how your growing up affected your mother...being that it had to be love/hate, and equally loving as spiteful. She deserves the best on this day.

4 out of 5 stars