Review Laurence Anyways (2012): An intimate modern Romeo and Juliet story
This might be one of filmmaker Xavier Dolan’s masterpieces; inspired by the genuine story of his former producer. In Laurence Anyways, Dolan shows that we can rewrite impossible loves repeatedly.
Love and regrets
Being your true self is the quest that Laurence Alain (Melvil Poupaud) starts at the age of thirty, but by doing so, he tests the love of his partner Fred (Suzanne Clément). In other words, Laurence wants to become a woman. Both are creative people who seem free-spirited and open -minded, however, Fred deals with his transformation and at the same time mourns a deep regret that will follow her for the eternity of her love for Laurence, which is unconditional.
Private emotions
Thanks to the role of Fred, Suzanne Clément won several awards. She is often in the works of Dolan, delivering top quality portrayals. In Laurence Anyways, she gives a heart-warming and heart-wrenching performance, conveying all the feelings of her character. Her emotions and Dolan’s cinematic style concur — expressing private emotions. Her screen partner, Melvil Poupaud, awes with his subtle gestures and silent moments accompanied by the incredible soundtrack.
Of course, her acting alone is not only worthy of attention, but the funky, colourful and detailed cinematography (Yves Bélanger) forces us to look at it. Here, colour appertains to each protagonist (red, blue and later on purple), signalling various emotions and phases. Raining clothes, or a misty walk through the streets filled with the gaze of people, shows personal emotions of the protagonists. In Dolan’s filmmaking one can see inspiration from My Own Private Idaho (1991) in the gazes and ballroom scene that through the 80s and 90s’ beat reveals a powerful moment for Fred and Laurence.
Real dialogue
From music and performance to dialogue, Dolan addresses loss through those intimate and formidable real dialogues — which one wonders how did he come up with such a sensitive dialogue at 23 years old!? Besides this, its realism shakes us by the impressive performance of Suzanne Clément and the movement of the camera. It brings us closer and closer to Fred’s emotions, because it’s not about Laurence, but about Fred.
Bittersweet love
Each scene and dialogue line perfectly align. There is no waste of time or drama. The audience experiences this impossible love through the narration of Laurence but at the end, all details and the not so dismissible elements scream the difficulty of trying to move on and the immeasurable grief of mistakes. As Rome and Juliet, both protagonists lose themselves in the pursuit of a tragic love.
Rating: 4 out of 5 glitter blue dresses.
