Les Amours Imaginaires – An Alliance Films Release

http://www.lesamoursimaginaires.com/

DVD Release Date: October 26th, 2010

Rated 14A for sexual content and language.

Running time: 100 minutes

 

Xavier Dolan (dir.)

Xavier Dolan (writer)

 

Xavier Dolan as Francis

Niels Schneider as Nicolas

Monia Chokri as Marie

 

Bonus Features Include:

• Scène Supprimées

• Commentaires Audio (avec Mornia Chokri et Xavier Dolan)

• Bande-Annonce

• Bloopers

• Extraits Annotés du Scénario

 

© 2010 Remstar. Tous droits réservés. Distribué exclusivement au Canada par Alliance Vivafilm. Tous droits réservés.

 

Our reviews below:

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Les Amours Imaginaires DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Les Amours Imaginaires (translated in English simply to Heartbeats), is 21-year-old Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan’s second feature as writer and director.  The story is a bold love triangle of sorts, following close friends Frankie and Marie (Xavier Dolan and Monia Chokri) who both have romantic feelings for the playful and mysterious Nicolas (Niels Schneider).

 

Though interesting, scenes of unrelated characters discussing breaking up seem only to add minutes to the running time, and some of the artistic flourishes didn’t work for me, like several scenes being shot through coloured filters.  But with good acting and often striking cinematography, this is an interesting look at young relationships, and an admirable and very promising sophomore feature from the young and very talented Xavier Dolan.

 

The DVD includes bonus scenes, a blooper reel and a commentary track.

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Les Amours Imaginaires DVD Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

Les Amours Imaginaires follows the story of Francis (played by Xavier Dolan), Marie (Monia Chokri), and Nicolas (Niels Schneider).  Nicolas is a bit of a player, and appears to be leading both Marie and Francis on.  The movie follows these three characters, with segments in between, talking to random people who have gone through break-ups.

 

Les Amours Imaginaires is a very stylistic indy film.  I personally found it a little long in parts, despite only a 100 minute running length.  It definitely has a very french feel, and is a good second film by the relatively young Xavier Dolan.  The use of colours and cinematography is such that you’ll either like the style or it will annoy you.  I’m kind of in-between.  Some of the choices worked better than others for me.

 

Now that it’s out on DVD, those interested in the work of this new Québecois director, will want to see this film.  It is worth seeing, and not bad by any means.

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Les Amours Imaginaires DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Created by Xavier Dolan, the talented young filmmaker from Quebec, Les Amours Imaginaires provides an interesting study of human relationships.  This movie follows two best friends, Marie, (Monia Chokri), and Francis, (played by Dolan himself).  Things get complicated when Nicolas, (Niels Schneider), a curly-haired hotshot comes into town.  Both Marie and Francis quickly develop a crush on the new guy, who leads them on to believe he is interested in them both.  Francis and Marie are so infatuated with Nicolas, that their own true friendship with each other begins to suffer.

 

Les Amours Imaginaires is a believable drama with genuine characters.  Xavier Dolan has captured the naiveté of youthful infatuation perfectly (hence the film’s title).

 

Some things in the film seemed out-of-place, namely the overuse of colour filters, and very abrupt scene changes.  I also found that, although well made, the interviews with various young people who had suffered breakups, seemed only to add screen time.  The film would have gone smoother if it had only focused on the three main characters.

 

However, the acting and screenwriting was really good, and, although slow at parts, did hold my attention.  Xavier Dolan, only 20 years old, has a lot of potential as a filmmaker.

 

Les Amours Imaginaires is a decent art house film that is worth checking out.

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Les Amours Imaginaires DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

This artistic effort by Québecois filmmaker, Xavier Dolan paints a passionate picture of a universal theme, unreturned love.  Les Amours Imaginaires follows two Montreal friends, Francis (Xavier Dolan) and Marie (Monia Chokri) as they each develop a crush on an attractive blond stranger, Nicolas (Niels Schneider).

 

Francis and Marie find themselves competing for Nicolas’ affections.  Nicolas loves the attention and toys with both of them without ever crossing the line with physical intimacy.  Meanwhile both Francis and Marie each individually engage in one-night encounters to distract themselves from Nicolas.

 

The storyline is strong and the acting excellent especially from Xavier Dolan.  However the highly stylized cinematography including segments filmed through coloured lenses may be considered too artsy for mainstream viewers.  Les Amours Imaginaires will appeal mainly to those who don’t mind subtitles, or films with an artistic edge.  Fans of the highly talented Xavier Dolan will want to check out this interesting film.

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Les Amours Imaginaires DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Les Amours Imaginaires s’agit de Francis (Xavier Dolan) et Marie (Monia Chokri) qui s’intéressent au nouveau gars Nicolas (Niels Schneider). Bien intelligent et beau comme un demi-dieu grec aux cheveux blonds et frizeux, Nicolas est irrésistible à la fois pour le jeune gai sensible Francis et la femme Marie qui est un peu plus âgée avec une histoire d’amours brisés. On se demande toujours lequel(le) Nicolas aimera ou s’il les aime bien seulement. Par exemple, quand il partage son lit dormant entre les deux après une longue soirée, est-ce que c’est à cause d’amour ou juste de l’insouciance?

 

Dans Les Amours Imaginaires, déjà son deuxième film de longue métrage à l’âge de vingt ans, Xavier Dolan a réussi à partager la peine de ne pas savoir si son affection sera retournée, ou quand les affaires de coeur sont finies. Même qu’on ne fait jamais grand chose, les sentiments des principaux sont toujours évidents sur leurs visages, par des regards et des petits gestes. Quelquefois, il y a d’autres personnes qui partagent leurs propres échecs d’amour, ce que j’ai trouvé une distraction de l’histoire principale. Une autre chose un peu bizarre était les couleurs illuminant les brefs liaisons de Francis et Marie avec des autres gars, d’abord rouge, puis vert, bleu et enfin violet. Le choix de musique est intéressant, par exemple la chanson pop Bang Bang chantée en italien, les suites de violoncelle de Bach pendent les brefs scènes de sexe, et même un extrait de Parsifal de Wagner. Les sous-titres sont corrects sans être exactes, à la fois gardant le sens du langage québécois et idiomatique en anglais. En tout cas, malgré son excellent script et distribution, c’est plutôt un film un peu trop lente et excentrique pour un grand public américain.

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Consensus: Xavier Dolan’s second film as a writer and director, Les Amours Imaginaires (Heartbeats), is an interesting and highly artistic look at relationships, and a promising sophomore feature for the young director. *** (Out of 4)