Beyond Forty (1982) User Reviews

Kind of Big Chill from Québec

[MarioB · 7/10 · 21 October 2001]

Quality movie from that fine director Anne-Claire Poirier. The problem is that the story is almost the same as The Big Chill : friends, now all over 40, reunites, and the fun becomes tragic for some of them. It removes originality to the film of miss Poirier. But, on the other hand, this film is far superior to The Big Chill. Cinematography is much better, so is the actors. But I have also a little problem with the actors : most of them are over 50, and they suppose to play 44-46 year old people! But this is sure a very fine picture, with warm emotions.

Nostalgic and touching, as well as philosophical

[potj01 · 21 October 2001]

This movie is partly treating the same themes as "The big chill", with references to social and moral situation in french Canada, after the "Quiet revolution". Like in "The big chill" the whole movie is about a long day and night gathering of about 10 college close friends (la gang) sharing souvenirs,critics of some religious and social beliefs of their youth. As the night unravels, their desillusions and failures comes to surface with a feeling of fear of oncoming end and death,since they are in the second part of their lives. The movie shows great sensibility, as well as joy or pain;very well done, with some lenghts.It worths to be seen and compared to "The big chill"; it supports the comparison.