Henrick Vartanian
PLOTWISE: Cafe de Flore is a French-Canadian film by director Jean-Marc Vallée (“C.R.A.Z.Y.”), consisting of two intertwined stories spanning between Paris in 1960’s and present day Montreal. One follows a single mother (played by Vanessa Paradis) raising a child with Down syndrome while the other story is about an estranged husband (newcomer Kevin Parent) who has found a new life with a gorgeous blonde (Évelyne Brochu) while his ex-wife (played by Hélène Florent) struggles with the separation. From there, the film is all about linking the two storylines. And that’s all I will say.
Aside from a slick structure and beautifully shot visuals about subjects who may not always walk in the sunny side of life, this film is adorned with great casting. Every single actor in this film shines.
ACTING: Vanessa Pardis plays the single mother Jacqueline, raising a son with Down syndrome and she hits this role out of the park. She plays an important character to the story, with charm, and strength.
The women in this film are so important and such an essential part of the story, it is hard to imagine any room for the male characters.
Not so difficult when there is newcomer, Kevin Parent – very much a leading man. Parent is a celebrated singer-songwriter in his native Quebec, Canada, and has won multiple music industry awards. But his acting debut in this film, as Antoine, the super star DJ, father of two, is equally note worthy. It’s not that he has that “strong silent type” act down. It is his ability to deliver tenderness to the seemingly hard-shelled character. Husband, father, protector, artist, lover; he seems to deliver this character on the straight and narrow. But he makes it complex.
In short, Parent possesses this “edge” thing Hollywood insiders keep talking about, with plenty of sex appeal.
As Amelie, the straight-shooting best friend, actress Evelyne de la Chenelière is a delight. She is as memorable as the rest of them in the lead roles. She turns a very serious moment into instant laughs only to make it serious again.
The Brave New Hollywood view: a wisely cast group of professional and rising stars and well crafted stories bring this twisted tale of love and loss into its final climactic stop, with lots of mystery and intrigue. See it!
The French language poster (seen here) rocks, by the way.
Yes, the film is in French with English subtitles, opens in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA theaters this weekend.
CLICK HERE to see the trailer to Café de Flore.