120 reviews
The first feature from French director Yann Samuell is an "expressionistic" allegory about love, disguised as a romantic fantasy. It is about how in our relationships we never outgrow childhood games or fully recover from the insecurities caused by deep childhood wounds. It is about how people in love constantly test each other. Each dare is a renewed demand for the other person to prove their love, no matter what the sacrifice.
"Love Me If You Dare" is a gimmick translation of "Jeux d'enfants", a better translation would be "Games of Children". But given the general confusion about this film by English speaking viewers and critics the inaccurate title is probably appropriate. Film Theory 101 would include a discussion of the two basic film extremes, realism and expressionism. Generally the closer a film comes to reproducing reality, the less room there is for the filmmaker to express his artistry. Which is not to say that realism is necessarily less manipulative than expressionism, both aim to effect their viewing audience, expressionism is just less constrained.
When you are used to a steady diet of Hollywood realism, it is difficult to switch gears and watch a film like "Jeux d'enfants" without attempting to force it into the realism mold. The temptation is to gloss over the surreal elements and to take everything you see literally. But Samuell has a background as an illustrator and designer. Note the inventive visuals that employ a multitude of cardboard cutouts and idyllic fantasy settings. This is expressionism. Note the accelerated action segments and strange transitions. This is expressionism. Note the interesting time passage montages and flashbacks.
While you sometimes see similar stuff incorporated into a realistic film, it is explained away as a dream, hallucination, or memory. Here it is a tip-off that this is a surreal allegory like Bunuel's "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie". If you avoid taking "Jeux d'enfants" too literally, stop being judgmental about the actions and motivations of its characters, and focus instead on picking up its allegorical elements you will probably understand it better and enjoy it more.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
"Love Me If You Dare" is a gimmick translation of "Jeux d'enfants", a better translation would be "Games of Children". But given the general confusion about this film by English speaking viewers and critics the inaccurate title is probably appropriate. Film Theory 101 would include a discussion of the two basic film extremes, realism and expressionism. Generally the closer a film comes to reproducing reality, the less room there is for the filmmaker to express his artistry. Which is not to say that realism is necessarily less manipulative than expressionism, both aim to effect their viewing audience, expressionism is just less constrained.
When you are used to a steady diet of Hollywood realism, it is difficult to switch gears and watch a film like "Jeux d'enfants" without attempting to force it into the realism mold. The temptation is to gloss over the surreal elements and to take everything you see literally. But Samuell has a background as an illustrator and designer. Note the inventive visuals that employ a multitude of cardboard cutouts and idyllic fantasy settings. This is expressionism. Note the accelerated action segments and strange transitions. This is expressionism. Note the interesting time passage montages and flashbacks.
While you sometimes see similar stuff incorporated into a realistic film, it is explained away as a dream, hallucination, or memory. Here it is a tip-off that this is a surreal allegory like Bunuel's "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie". If you avoid taking "Jeux d'enfants" too literally, stop being judgmental about the actions and motivations of its characters, and focus instead on picking up its allegorical elements you will probably understand it better and enjoy it more.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
- aimless-46
- Aug 26, 2005
- Permalink
To understand "Love Me If You Dare", one must harken back to childhood when fondness translated to teasing. So it is with Julien and Sophie, the central characters of this film, who in childhood become fast friends because of a game they share (or visa versa) which involves one challenging the other to do something outrageous while passing a gayly decorated candy canister to them. Upon completion of the dare, the canisters is passed back and the dared person announces "Game!". And so it goes, back and forth, as the children grow to adolescents and then to adults with the brinksmanship and friendship becoming increasingly substantial and the ubiquitous canister the ever present reminder of their unspoken bond. Finely crafted though sometimes disjointed, this creative work is full of life and energy and passion and its ever escalating story is maddeningly captivating and unsatisfying as it waxes toward its inevitable and somewhat clumsy conclusion. A love it or hate it audience dividing flick, "Love Me..." can be appreciated on as many levels as it can be condemned. The only way you'll know if you like it is to watch it. (A-)
- AudemarsPiguet
- Mar 1, 2005
- Permalink
I love this film. It's light, dreamy, and colorful. The movie does not ask you to take it seriously, but simply to watch as Julien and Sophie play with the elements of conventional life. I'm reminded of a character from Milan Kundera's Immortality, who played with the world in the same fervor and commitment.
We see Julien and Sophie's games becoming more and more elaborate as they grow up, affecting other lives even. And when they do, you understand at most levels that they do not mean to hurt other people. They just play as the game is supposed to be played.
It is fantasy in that it lets you suspend realism for a moment, and dwell on the things we take for granted many times- laughter, romance, and childlike innocence. This movie made me smile, and I have no need to question motivations etc. It would be absurd to questions things that are meant to be left alone in their wonder.
We see Julien and Sophie's games becoming more and more elaborate as they grow up, affecting other lives even. And when they do, you understand at most levels that they do not mean to hurt other people. They just play as the game is supposed to be played.
It is fantasy in that it lets you suspend realism for a moment, and dwell on the things we take for granted many times- laughter, romance, and childlike innocence. This movie made me smile, and I have no need to question motivations etc. It would be absurd to questions things that are meant to be left alone in their wonder.
- angelicdaw
- Aug 23, 2004
- Permalink
This bittersweet comedy about love is in line with great recent French movies such as Amelie or L'Auberge Espagnole, But Jeux d'Enfants is not trying to copy any of the previous. In fact, it is one of the most original movies I've seen lately.
Directed in a superb way by the inventive Yann Samuell, this film can make you laugh out loud in a minute and shed some tears on the next due to the extreme complexity of the feelings the director and the actors share with you. Nothing in this film seems exaggerated; it's a fairy tale of our time with a great dose of realism.
The chemistry between Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard is simply perfect.
Whether you like it or not, it's difficult to be indifferent to this movie and this is one of the best compliments a director can receive.
Directed in a superb way by the inventive Yann Samuell, this film can make you laugh out loud in a minute and shed some tears on the next due to the extreme complexity of the feelings the director and the actors share with you. Nothing in this film seems exaggerated; it's a fairy tale of our time with a great dose of realism.
The chemistry between Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard is simply perfect.
Whether you like it or not, it's difficult to be indifferent to this movie and this is one of the best compliments a director can receive.
- ParanoidAndroid1982
- Jun 5, 2005
- Permalink
This may be one of the best French films I have seen in a long, long time. In many ways it reminds me of Berliner's "Ma Vie en Rose" (and not just because this film also uses Zazie's brilliant rendition of the Piaf song). It has much of the same Pierre et Giles aesthetic that made the other film so memorable and the child actors also display a similarly remarkable complexity that is so rare when they are usually depicted in film.
Very rarely does a film have the capacity to surprise me this much - either with the usually predictable storyline or when trying to understand the character's motivations etc. But this film continually had me reeling when trying to get a grip on it and, in the end, just when I thought it was a predictable love story...!! For this reason alone I found it a most remarkable film and I would strongly recommend seeing it.
This film will not appeal to lovers of mainstream American cinema - it is too intelligent in the way it challenges our usual expectations. We usually expect to finish watching a film and have no questions - to have everything wrapped up nice and neatly so we can get on with our lives.
If you do not want to suddenly find yourself asking "Pour quoi?" a week later or waking up with the haunting refrains of the unique renditions of the Piaf song in your head, then I would suggest you rent a more predictable movie.
However, if you like being alternately surprised, delighted and haunted by a unique film and wonderful soundtrack - check this one out.
Very rarely does a film have the capacity to surprise me this much - either with the usually predictable storyline or when trying to understand the character's motivations etc. But this film continually had me reeling when trying to get a grip on it and, in the end, just when I thought it was a predictable love story...!! For this reason alone I found it a most remarkable film and I would strongly recommend seeing it.
This film will not appeal to lovers of mainstream American cinema - it is too intelligent in the way it challenges our usual expectations. We usually expect to finish watching a film and have no questions - to have everything wrapped up nice and neatly so we can get on with our lives.
If you do not want to suddenly find yourself asking "Pour quoi?" a week later or waking up with the haunting refrains of the unique renditions of the Piaf song in your head, then I would suggest you rent a more predictable movie.
However, if you like being alternately surprised, delighted and haunted by a unique film and wonderful soundtrack - check this one out.
- richard-walker-1
- Jul 29, 2005
- Permalink
What is love, no one knows, and yet they sing about it. Some are successful, some fail, and some try even harder t nail it. I say that this movie made me not move for its entirety. The lead characters (Sophie and Julien) pulled me up to the sky and showed me how love really feels like.
This is the worst dare one could do, and the best story one could watch. I have to admit that I kept watching the credits, and then finally the closed VLC media player for more than how long,I do not know. Such was the impact this movie made in me.
Visually stunning, great background score with the beautiful touch of Edith Piaf. And moreover the climax. Well, I am still confused on what happened there, and I am sure it will confuse you as well. And that's the only spoiler am gonna give you, apart from one little fact. That this movie will make you look at your girl and ask "cap ou pas cap". By all means, this is a perfect love story.
This is the worst dare one could do, and the best story one could watch. I have to admit that I kept watching the credits, and then finally the closed VLC media player for more than how long,I do not know. Such was the impact this movie made in me.
Visually stunning, great background score with the beautiful touch of Edith Piaf. And moreover the climax. Well, I am still confused on what happened there, and I am sure it will confuse you as well. And that's the only spoiler am gonna give you, apart from one little fact. That this movie will make you look at your girl and ask "cap ou pas cap". By all means, this is a perfect love story.
- sachin_jans
- Dec 15, 2012
- Permalink
Two children start an odd game of outdoing each other with limitless dares and stunts, but as they grow into adulthood their stunts become more dangerous and life threatening. Soon enough they realize that their continuation of the game had been a desperate attempt to hide the fact that they were meant for each other. Right away this film starts off in a dream like state, giving us the sense that we're really watching a school play put on by 4th graders. The mood is very light and playful and goes along with the child like innocence of Julien and Sophie. As the two characters mature so does the directing (for lack of a better phrasing). No longer do we feel like we are in the dream of a 10 year old. Reality settles in and eventually the mood in the film becomes very dark and almost depressing. I loved everything about this movie: the plot, the actors (and the chemistry between them) but most of all the directing. I liked the way Yann changed the mood in the film to match that of the character's ages. 9/10
- Monica4937
- Jun 4, 2005
- Permalink
"Wickedly" is really the best word to describe it. Not being a regular french movie fan, I decided to give it a try with this one, mostly because of the story (because cast, producer, etc were mostly unknown to me)and it's classification here. I have to say I was very surprised, but I can't say whether if it was in a good or a bad way. If you like good romances, not the usual romantic comedies, but different, brand new romances, this movie is great. I'm one of those people, so in a way this movie pleased me very much. On the other hand you can count with a very crazy story, in which some parts you will find yourself thinking "Are they seriously?!?". But it is fiction, so we can't be surprised with an amount of what can be considered insanity for some of us. In another way, and for those who aren't so septic, I guess it will make perfect sense, because the story will reveal as crazy as love can be, and if it is in the name of love I guess we can allow ourselves more tolerancy. Overall it's a story being told, there's an order for things and it's not hard to keep up. It has some sweet parts that remind me an innocent childhood and it also retreats the problem of stubbornness. If you're looking for a romance and you like to ear french I think it's very worth seeing.
- CihanVercan
- Nov 14, 2009
- Permalink
This film causes me to generally reflect on humanity's extraordinary ability to invent strictly for the sake of invention. We've seen countless love stories told in an astounding variety of ways and this one is definitely unique. Without giving anything way let me say that this film is worth watching just for that. It is engrossing at a level rarely found today, especially for its genre. I mean, how many more ways can a love story be told? Technically and artistically this is also a must watch. Fine performances all around, fine camera work, fine editing, fine score, everything's fine. You won't be bored for a second. But, and this is a big but, do people really act this way? As children, perhaps, but as adolescents, juveniles, adults? Call me an altruist but at some point in one's life it dawns on one that a game is just that, not a way of life. And as for the love affair's outcome, well it's so pathetic it brings me back to my opening comment regarding inventions. Other commentators have sought to understand and explain the lovers' motives but I think they miss the mark. My feeling is that the story is secondary. The love affair is a vehicle for invention, creativity. The real purpose of the creators was to see how far they could go in inventing an outlandish love affair. And they've succeeded. Nonetheless I should repeat: you should see it.
- samhill5215
- Apr 9, 2010
- Permalink
It's funny how when it comes to french movies, french people are just so harsh (i'm refering to previous comments about this movie and others)!
This one starts really (i mean really) good and, it's true, goes through worse scenes ... but the end ... well I loved it! It sure can be accused to mimic american movies (just listen to the music and the "passing-above" camera moves) but shortly after it really turns ... well ... "french". But it's not a bad thing in my opinion. Talking about the characters, You just can't help thinking "what's with them ?", why are they acting like they do ? I like to think it's because of a tradition in french cinema. Characters have to be twisted and torn apart because of their deep feelings.
In the sequence of events, it can be perceived as seemingly weird ... and I have no answer to that ... Yet I appreciated it quite much and I'm looking forward to watching the next Samuell's piece. I rated it 9 out of 10. And i can only tell: watch it!
This one starts really (i mean really) good and, it's true, goes through worse scenes ... but the end ... well I loved it! It sure can be accused to mimic american movies (just listen to the music and the "passing-above" camera moves) but shortly after it really turns ... well ... "french". But it's not a bad thing in my opinion. Talking about the characters, You just can't help thinking "what's with them ?", why are they acting like they do ? I like to think it's because of a tradition in french cinema. Characters have to be twisted and torn apart because of their deep feelings.
In the sequence of events, it can be perceived as seemingly weird ... and I have no answer to that ... Yet I appreciated it quite much and I'm looking forward to watching the next Samuell's piece. I rated it 9 out of 10. And i can only tell: watch it!
- alonelypig
- May 12, 2020
- Permalink
The plot is ridiculous which ruined the movie immediately. Two kids......maybe. But two adults ruin their lives playing a destructive game? No, not going there.
- ntaylor85296
- Sep 1, 2020
- Permalink
I totally loved the experience of this movie... and the conceit of "the game"!
BUT what I really liked IS questionable... these were perhaps the MEANEST characters I've seen in a film who WEREN'T "bad guys" in years!
That said... THAT'S what I loved! These characters were completely selfish... withholding their feelings from each other for fear of being hurt... but then taking it to another level by dragging innocent bystanders into their game (through marriages that are PART of the game)...
Without giving away too much... what I liked about watching this movie unfold is what Hollywood never allows-- sometimes people just suck!
And the movie IS stylish too!
Yay!
Michael Carlin
BUT what I really liked IS questionable... these were perhaps the MEANEST characters I've seen in a film who WEREN'T "bad guys" in years!
That said... THAT'S what I loved! These characters were completely selfish... withholding their feelings from each other for fear of being hurt... but then taking it to another level by dragging innocent bystanders into their game (through marriages that are PART of the game)...
Without giving away too much... what I liked about watching this movie unfold is what Hollywood never allows-- sometimes people just suck!
And the movie IS stylish too!
Yay!
Michael Carlin
SPOILER BY WAY OF INTERPRETATION###### Most movies have one thing sinisterly in common with life. Both pretend that while people are good, life is full of bad things that happen to them which sometimes make them do bad things later. This is true, too, of villains. They are always justified by a bad child-hood or society. This movie is not much different. Sophie is abused because of her heritage/race (in French films this is allowed to be a background detail, in an American film they only mention it if that's what the movie's about in the first place, and even then they feel compelled to include a moral lesson about it {basically in order to deny that it is a facet of everyday life}). Julien's loss of his mother is his own motivation. But seriously folks the character's motivations are exactly what this movie is NOT about. They live their lives the way they do, not out of self-defense, but out of love of life. The ending makes perfect sense when viewed from this perspective. Do you dare to live life? Do you have unlimited control of your actions? If you did AND you had someone calling you on it at every point then your life would be as wild and nonsensical as these two fantasy figures. Wuthering Heights? Maybe. Romeo and Juliet? More likely.
OK, so true, it's ANOTHER romantic-comedy-with-a-difference but, this isn't your average love story. It does follow the basic, classic "Romeo and Juliet" storyline, but the truly bizarre twist at the end is spectacularly different. Before i saw this i was prepared for a simple rom- com, chewing gum for the mind etc, i'd never heard of it, and most of my friends have only done so through me, but this is extraordinary. This film is one of those which has my morals split. I want everyone to get the chance to see it, but yet, i really want to keep it to myself. I like to pride myself on a slightly unique taste in films, and i wouldn't mind it staying that way, but come on, this is a pure classic waiting to be adored. JUST PROMISE ME that you'll save it for the very special, appreciative viewers, and don't expose it to those who'd pass the masterpiece by with sarcastic tittering. Beautiful film with and for beautiful people. Savour it.
- ilove_borisj
- Apr 7, 2005
- Permalink
Comparing Yann Samuell's debut film to "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," as some critics have done, might be giving this film a bit too much praise because Jacques Demy's classic is a marvel of filmmaking and is quite possibly the most romantic film ever made.
It's also drawn comparisons to "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" (2001), and although it boasts a comparably fantastical palette, "Jeux d'enfants" is nowhere near as cheery as that little wonder.
Nevertheless, Samuell's film is a fascinating, audacious, innovative and entertaining film about love and romance.
These days, Hollywood romantic comedies and dramas tend to stick to insipid, conventional storytelling starring either Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan. There's absolutely nothing daring or original about these films.
Samuell's film is that proverbial breath of fresh air for those of us longing to see something different - and good. This is a love story with an edge and will remain with you long after any Meg or Julia flick.
I'm not quite sure whether Samuell's made a film about how passionately romantic two people can be or whether this is a thinly veiled anti-romantic movie masquerading as a love story.
The cornerstone of romantic films is that both lovers are immensely likable characters. What Samuell brazenly does is give his two lovers - Julien Janvier and Sophie Kowalski - traits unconventional to the genre.
Julien and Sophie make you feel awfully uneasy about what they do. They're self-absorbed and their games often are cruel and nasty, even when aimed at each other. This level of viciousness is sudden and unexpected, not the sort of thing you expect in a romantic film, and definitely not what you would see in a Hollywood romantic-comedy.
The two lead performances are terrific. Despite their unlikable behavior, we fully understand what attracts these two individuals to each other. They're each the yin to the other's yang.
Samuell tops it all of with a bravura finale. Not only is it daring to employ such an unconventional and twisted denouement, but the ending also is open to interpretation - two people seeing the same film could easily differ on what it all means.
And that's just part of the beauty of this splendid film.
It's also drawn comparisons to "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" (2001), and although it boasts a comparably fantastical palette, "Jeux d'enfants" is nowhere near as cheery as that little wonder.
Nevertheless, Samuell's film is a fascinating, audacious, innovative and entertaining film about love and romance.
These days, Hollywood romantic comedies and dramas tend to stick to insipid, conventional storytelling starring either Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan. There's absolutely nothing daring or original about these films.
Samuell's film is that proverbial breath of fresh air for those of us longing to see something different - and good. This is a love story with an edge and will remain with you long after any Meg or Julia flick.
I'm not quite sure whether Samuell's made a film about how passionately romantic two people can be or whether this is a thinly veiled anti-romantic movie masquerading as a love story.
The cornerstone of romantic films is that both lovers are immensely likable characters. What Samuell brazenly does is give his two lovers - Julien Janvier and Sophie Kowalski - traits unconventional to the genre.
Julien and Sophie make you feel awfully uneasy about what they do. They're self-absorbed and their games often are cruel and nasty, even when aimed at each other. This level of viciousness is sudden and unexpected, not the sort of thing you expect in a romantic film, and definitely not what you would see in a Hollywood romantic-comedy.
The two lead performances are terrific. Despite their unlikable behavior, we fully understand what attracts these two individuals to each other. They're each the yin to the other's yang.
Samuell tops it all of with a bravura finale. Not only is it daring to employ such an unconventional and twisted denouement, but the ending also is open to interpretation - two people seeing the same film could easily differ on what it all means.
And that's just part of the beauty of this splendid film.
I rarely see foreign, or even arty films, but I honestly loved this movie. It starts off as a sweet memoir of childhood, then moves forward, gathering momentum and plunging head-first and fearlessly into a quirky perspective on love, friendship, obsession and sacrifice. The movie is somewhat of a roller-coaster ride, fast-paced and exquisitely filmed, and has much to offer in terms of artistic credit. It's probably not for everyone - some of the scenes are quite confronting, some of the humour is admittedly quite dark and even the ending seemed a bit abrupt for some of my friends. It's not a conventional movie, but if you can appreciate a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour, and the idea that love is just a game that adults play, then I'd highly recommend it. If you liked Big Fish (Tim Burton), you'll like Love Me If You Dare - fun story, beautifully told.
I went to the cinema today... guess what i have seen? well in fact it was a very different movie from the ones i usually see... The actors called my attention right from the beginning as they were kids. A very clear sight of bullying nowadays. The game is just so perverse but actually fantastic.. Is just what everybody wants to do. To call attention, to be different, to bet our honor just for fun. But things can loose their track, like what we see in this movie... But still, is really good to watch such tricky movie.. it makes us think about ourselves and our wishes.. Well, congratulations to the whole crew and keep on doing movies like this one... We need it!!!
I saw Jeux D'enfants at a screening during the Toronto International Film Festival. The film follows a boy and a girl who engage in a game involving a tin box. The box is traded back and forth between the two and the keeper of the box must complete a dare proposed by the other. This leads to some very funny moments, but the film also touches on some serious ones too. This film definitely had the same tone of fantasy that Amelie contained. As the children grow older, their dares become more cynical towards each other and I think that is the one detraction from the film, however it also kept Jeux D'enfants with a fresh quality as well. It is definitely an interesting film that is worth seeing.
based on a different game the two main characters play, the story tells about how a life-time love can be understood and what can be done to achieve it. the film doesn't only focus on "love" theme but it also makes good statements about friendship, family and how a person's mind can be fulled with just one person. when the game they play continues, the film gets more exciting and increases the watcher's curiosity. one can argue that this is one of the most different kind of love that has been told in cinema.
from the beginning till the end of the film, the emotional worlds of both main characters are well explained with good connections.
although there can be some disappointments about certain parts of the film, the song "la vie en rose" goes wonderful with the story and creates a good reason to like the film.
from the beginning till the end of the film, the emotional worlds of both main characters are well explained with good connections.
although there can be some disappointments about certain parts of the film, the song "la vie en rose" goes wonderful with the story and creates a good reason to like the film.
This is a real "marmite" of a film - you either love it or hate it! I love it! I agree with the other reviews that it is not your typical Hollywood film - it's a very "european" film, reminding me of a few of Almodovar's films which are also some of my favourite. People I know have struggled to "get" the film - I agree with some of the other reviews that if you try and take this film too literally, it won't make sense - just go with it an enjoy :-) The music is great with the use of La Vie en Rose and other instrumentals! I nominated this film for my monthly book and film club and can't wait to see what the others say. I think it's going to be an interesting debate!
- johnniesmambo
- May 31, 2011
- Permalink
I would rate it -1 if I could. The main characters are unlikeable, selfish, cruel, childish. Cant understand why people rated it so high. Totally waste of time. Have to watch something else to clear this trash.
- primroses-79705
- Nov 6, 2021
- Permalink