Rust And Bone

The French just seem to have a knack for making great romantic films. Co-writer and director Jacques Audiard has certainly made a great one here. It is a fairly simple story with two wonderful characters at its centre. Stephanie and Alain are broken people. Stephanie's problem is more obvious and physical as opposed to Alain's which is emotional. They have a chance meeting which brings them together. What I loved most about this film was the realness of the story. You get desensitizes by the glossiness of romantic stories. Where as this one is more like a docu-drama. It feels like a more natural story and not one that has been carefully orchestrated to push certain emotional buttons. There is however a cute kid and animal that ruins that theory. You don't really see them falling in love as you do with most films. This is especially true of Alain who does not show his emotions in an obvious way. But you know deep down he really likes Stephanie. There is a major plot point that you should try to not find out about if you can before seeing this film. But let me say that the special effects involved in achieving the results of this event are perhaps the best I've ever seen in a film. 
Marion Cotillard does not just try to ruin Gotham city. She also gives brilliant performances in movies in her home country. I don't think it is possible that she can give a bad performance. Marion shows a great deal of emotional range as she falls for a man who seems so wrong for her. As her companion in this emotional journey Matthias Schoenaerts is equally as brilliant. He gives such a raw emotional performance as a man struggling to form connections with the people around him. Even when he stuffs things up.
A brilliant romantic drama for those who want something a bit different to the run of the mill Hollywood films.