Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

writers_reign It's considered bad form in certain circles to criticize Andre Techine but what the hey, I say it's spinach and the hell with it. This is uneven at best and boasts one of the clumsiest flashbacks on celluloid. Alexis Loret as Martin is clearly paying homage - as Jilly Adair would say - to Dorothy Parker running as he does the gamut from A to B and it's left to Juliette Binoche as Alice to carry both him and the film as best she can which might have been easier had she had a half decent script to work with. Those Ivory Towers in Academia will be swaying in ecstasy at this one as ordinary cinema-goers note the lack of apparel on Techine. One to avoid.

jotix100 Andre Techine is a director that likes to portray the problems young people are facing, which seems what attracted him to "Alice et Martin", a film that gives us a strange take in how the past catches up with a young man that challenged his father's authority. The screen play is by Olivier Assayas and Gilles Taurand, two men that have had written better things for the cinema.The film's opening sequence is puzzling since we have no clue as to what makes Martin run away from home. This seems to be a disjointed way to make the film work, because even though we might guess what could have happened, when the final truth comes about, we just don't care about it.Then there is the problem of Alice's attraction for Martin. Alice is a woman that seems to know what she wants. She is older than the young guy that comes into her life, and should have been wiser to avoid, at all costs, but she falls for him, anyhow.Basically, what attracted us to the film was Juliette Binoche, an actress that is always interesting to watch. Unfortunately, because our lack of interest in the story, we stop caring about her long before we get to know what really happened. Alexis Loret is a weak choice for Martin. Mathiew Amalric and Carmen Maura fare better in their supporting roles."Alice et Martin" is a slow moving film that will get in the nerves of viewers. Better luck to M. Techine in his next effort.

donalohanlon When "Alice et Martin" was released in France in November 1998, one of the more positive comments was in relation to its unorthodox narrative structure. In Dec 1999, upon it UK release the film was again highly praised for its structure, editing technique and bravura score. In Jul 2000 when "Alice et Martin" was released in the US it was heavily criticised for its narrative structure, which may critics labelled confusing and non-sensical. Are we at a point that even critics need to be spoon feed a 123 narrative. The flashback in "Alice et martin" is admittedly disjointed at first - it's meant to be as it reflects Martin's psycological state. "Alice et Martin" is a simple story which breaks up into two distinguishable parts. We are introduced to Martin (Alexis Loret) in a prologue which sketches his troubled childhood relationship with his father. We then see Martin flee from his home and live rough in the countryside before landing on his brother Benjamin's (Mathieu Amalric) door. Benjamin share a flat with musician Alice (Juliette Binoche). initially Alice is a brittle presence and resents Martin for disturbing the equilibrium she has found in a sexless relationship with the gay Benjamin. Martin quickly become infatuated with Alice and eventually she gives in and allows herself to fall in love. this first section of the film is episodic and set over a year, although on screen it is approximately 45 minutes long. The changing seasons are reflected by scenes showing summer, autumn and winter views of Paris. The second part of the film begins when Martin is taken ill in Spain at the news that Alice is pregnant. We soon learn that he killed his father and cannot function as a human being or become a father until justice takes it's course, and he is punished. His stepmother was the only witness and Alice travells to Martins old home to convince her to testify at Martin's trial. Techiné's film is unorthodox in many ways. The relationship between Alice et Martin is un-even from the beginning with her taking the lead. It is also shown as a deepky sexual relationship. Alice's strength again come to the fore when she is fighting Martin's family. however it is the issues of law and punishment, as well as family hurt which again haunt Techine in his work. As well as the law of the land we are presented with a family law. Indeed all the characters are shown to construct families of their own - ala Benjamin and Alice'e "Zoro - Zero" relationship. The performances in the film are great. Amalric, Carmen Maura as Martin's mother and Marthe Villalonga as his stepmother are great. Alexis Loret in his first screen role is blank and his performance has been criticised for this. Yet I think this is exactly how he should be. His entire life is stunted by his guilt. In her first role since winning an Oscar, Juliette Binoche does what she does best - underplays the drama and steals the film, coming into her own in the second section. Caroline Champetier's cinematography of Paris, Granada and South West France is ace, while Philip Sarde's score is assured and complimentary. Alice et Martin is not perfect. The final act labours a little too much on Martin's guilt rather than portraying how it affects his relationship with the pregnant Alice. He is also shown at the end in prison, a step to far, we dont need to know that - we only need to know that he is taking responsibility for his actions and being allowed to do so by his family. Interestingly while all of Martin's brothers all have major issues with their father, who is described as cold, distant and hard, Téchiné does not present him as a monster - instead the relationship between father and sons is a lot more ambiguous and interesting. All in all one of the best French movies of 1998. Téchiné's most mature film and a terrific turn from Juliette Binoche.

Marc-38 Have you been waiting to see Juliette Binoche again in her first role after her Academy Award winning performance in "The English Patient"? Are you interested in the new film by the director of "Les voleurs / Thieves"? Do you want to see a young actor he promises to be great French movie star? If so, you should definitely go and see "Alice et Martin" which I consider one of the best films I've seen in a long time. It's the story of Martin, a young man from a small town in the "province" and the way his disturbing past effects his first love to an older woman (Binoche). Although the screenplay sometimes doesn't deliver the most realistic dialogues and scenes, it's an highly emotional, artistic and intelligent movie, brilliantly acted and well directed. French cinema at its very best. Not to be missed by all fans of French films.