Thief of Hearts: Lellouche’s Sprawling Romance Has Arrhythmia

A common occurrence for actors moonlighting as directors is not knowing how to hone a focus, crafting a narrative around the performers, often to the detriment of the film itself. Such is the case with Beating Hearts (L’amour Ouf), the third film directed by Gilles Lellouche, an actor who often oscillates between comedy and drama, and has thus far focused on lighter, frivolous fare as a director. The French language title of his latest roughly translates to Phew, Love, which gives a better indication of the irreverent tone aimed for in this violently stylized romantic melodrama, clocking in at nearly three hours, the justification of which never arrives.…...