Just the Two of Us (2023) User Reviews

Well acted but superficial

[Castorian · 6/10 · 3 December 2023]

I went to see this film with high expectations, because of its subject and because I like the two actors, who are at the peak of their respective careers at the moment.

The beginning of the film sets the tone for the whole thing: temporal cuts, weird editing. The theme of domestic violence is very sensitive and would have merited in-depth analysis. However, we see a superficial approach, caused, I think, by the temporal overview of key moments. However, the acting of both actors is excellent.

There are also some strange choices, like the singing parts, and the inclusion of a twin in the protagonist - which adds absolutely nothing to the story, and is even distracting.

Socially relevant

[thebeachlife · 10/10 · 21 July 2023]

This one is not the first and not the last film about domestic violence but in my opinion, there can never be too many. The statistics showed this was especially common during Covid, when people stayed at home and their demons grew wilder. However, this one has nothing to do with lockdowns: it methodically and chronologically describes the classical story, and we see all the stages - first lies, feeling discomfort, alienation from social life, apprehension, guilt, desperation, danger, fear of the truth being revealed, guilt again, fear of physical assault, helplessness, panic, terror. Both the film itself and Melville Poupaud and Virginie Efira's acting show us how terrible it can be and that there's a way out of the nightmare the moment you realize you're in danger. In the movie, that happened quite late but hopefully this film will help someone to see the signs and end this horror earlier.

No downhill if there is no uphill first

[searchanddestroy-1 · 9 December 2023]

This couple relation study proposes the usual uphill and then downhill scheme, the collapse in a couple for whom everything was perfect, romantic, idyllic...You deal with a traditional thriller drama, very well done, tense, riveting, pulled by awesome performances and in which many audiences could recognize themselves. Virginie Elfira is the new hope for the French movie industry, despite her mature age - 46; the same for Melvin Poupaud - 50. They are not newcomers but were never used to top bills features either such as Jean Dujardin or Marion Cotillard for instance. But here in this film, I thought at first that the TWIN SISTER element would have been used for a thrilling plot, precisely working of the resemblance of the two women, as in some Bette Davis' movies or some Hitchcock's thriller as VERTIGO. Here, you have Virgine Elfira playing two roles and that's it. It would have been easier to have a second actress to play Blanche's sister. Or maybe was there a cast problems, they did not find the proper actress to play her sister. Very strange.

Perfect

[insightflow-20603 · 10/10 · 20 October 2023]

Fantastic, straightforward film with an intricate portrayal of a psychopath tormenting a strong woman who's found herself in his web. There isn't that much to be said, which is a good thing. The main heroine carries herself with poise and dignity throughout the horrific ordeal, and emerges victorious. This is a disturbing enough thriller, realistic, and without any Hitchcockian ambiguity, being clearly done through a female lens. While fully delivering aesthetically, it would hopefully serve to leave any abuse victim feeling empowered. We need more films to call out such abusers: "petit monsieur".