Ovid.tv Presents AFTER LOVE Film Review — Love and Quarrel

Marie is giving her two daughters, Margaux and Jade, a bath. “I want Papa,” whines Margaux. “It is my day,” her mother replies. Margaux persists: “Papa! I want Papa. Papa, Mommy is being mean.” Marie tries to pull her daughter's face towards her own, but Margaux pulls away. Boris walks in. “I will take over from here,” he says. Marie gets up, quietly dries her hands, and walks out.

After fifteen years, Marie and Boris’s marriage has crumbled. Marie resents Boris and is ready to move on, while he still hopes to work things out. The couple are co-parenting their children in the same home until their divorce is settled, amplifying the emotions that have built up over their marriage.

OVID.tv After Love Captures the Complexities of Marriage

Despite the couple’s differences, love is still alive. Margaux and Jade remind their parents in precious moments that they are still a family, making the process of separation even more painful. 
“Mama, we want to show you a dance we made,'' Margaux and Jade squeal. A slow and melancholic song plays as the girls dance for their parents. Jade takes her father’s hand and he joins in. Boris twirls Jade as Margaux steps to the music with Marie. The girls then make their parents dance together, watching with joy in their eyes. 

After Love shows the fragile, intense process of divorce by unfolding personal compromises and the disparity in a family. The couple is tasked with dividing up their friends as well as their assets—all while living and parenting under the same roof. This film highlights the complexities of marriage as the couple fights over finances and are faced with the emotional price of separation.

After Love is a good pick for those who like complicated love stories and who speak French, or don’t mind reading subtitles. The subject matter should appeal to anyone —or all of us— who have either experienced heartbreak, are in relationships or want to be, or those who would like a view of the internal parts of marriage. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Nominate this for The Picture This Post BEST OF 2021???
Click Readers' Choice

Want to see who won the Picture This Post READERS’ CHOICE competition last year?
WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO—

Yes!! Please note my vote to add this to the
Picture This Post BEST OF 2021

Find more top pick Indie Fiction Films— given HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ratings by Picture This Post writers here.

CREATIVE TEAM

Directed by Joachim Lafosse
Cast: Bérénice Bejo, Cédric Kahn, Marthe Keller, Jade Soentjens, Margaux Soentjens

For more information on this film, visit the Ovid.tv page for After Love

Images courtesy of Ovid.tv

Destynee Bolton

About the Author: Destynee Bolton

Destynee Bolton is a senior at Trinity Washington University studying Human Relations. While at college she deepens her education in psychology and sociology. In her spare time, Destynee creates jewelry, works out, and collects crystals.

Share this:

Make a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *