MFFF MOVIE REVIEW: TRUE FRIENDS (AMITIES SINCERES)


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Walter, Paul and Jacques are true friends. Or so it seems. Men in their fifties, they follow the traditions, catching up for lunches during the week and go away fishing on weekends. But there are secrets lurking underneath. Jacques is a closeted gay and Paul is dating Walter’s daughter Clemence - half his age. What adds complications is that Walter cannot stand secrets and expect only perfection from all around him. When truth is exposed something is going to hit the fan. Will three men be able to keep their friendship against the odds?

TRUE FRIENDS is easy to watch. It’s characters are amusing, its ending is predictable and the dialogue is swift and entertaining. Not going too deep into the problems of friendship and “true lies” the story touches lightly upon the subject at hand. TRUE FRIENDS is what you call “a slice of life” story. You live for two hours with the characters, doing things they do, visit places they visit. You like them enough to feel you want to become their friend yourself. 

Gerard Lanvin (WALTER) is charismatic in a role of loving, but a little controlling father who is not ready to let his daughter go. He is loved by his friends, because of the certainty of values he represents. But he makes you wonder if this gregarious man as forgiving as he is kind?


TRUE FRIENDS is a very even film, with conflict never escalating to a dangerous or tragic territory. The lack of intensity is probably the only negative side of the film - you never truly worry about the characters. It’s a sort of film you will watch at home on Friday night with an opened bottle of wine and someone you care about beside you.

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