Film Review – Anaïs In Love (2022)
Meet Anais (Anaïs Demoustier), a spirited, ditzy, unique 30-something trying to navigate her way through her version of a mid-mid-life crisis that, in 21st-century life, many are now accustomed to. Seemingly always running from one destination to another with a severe lack of timekeeping or genuine commitment, such stresses don’t seem to bother Anais given her spunky, hopeful outlook on life, one that sees her jump before she looks.
One day, she might be working on her thesis, the next she might be trying to appease her landlady after failing to pay her rent for a few months – Anais is chaotic but seemingly in control in the most unlikely ways. She embraces life and all its foibles, and there’s something to admire about one living so vicariously, particularly in love where she crosses paths with an older man (Denis Podalydes) before setting her eyes on his writer partner Emilie (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi).
Key to the film’s success is Demoustier who, embodying this Anais with gusto and passion, is impossible to take your eyes off throughout. She is funny and sharp, bringing levity and warmth from the first minute and as she runs – sprints sometimes – from one crazy situation to another, we don’t want to let go of her: all we want to do is follow her, no matter where she might finally end up, happy or not. But her performance, without sounding cliched, is a true star-making one. Whether she will ever connect with a character like this again will be a test, but we cannot wait to see what comes next.
Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet’s directorial debut has the feel of someone who has made many films beforehand: such is the confidence, clarity, and connection to her story and characters that she seems a dab hand, and the film is richer and more enjoyable for it. Anais’s journey is endearing and spontaneous and we are along for the ride as she flits from one scenario to another without a care or worries, something we all wish we could do. Indeed, it’s a wonderful reflection of not just life in general in 2022 but also for women as well, allowing themselves to be, do and become who they choose, a beautiful, sad, joyous journey to what we want to be.
There are a few bumps along the way, but that’s the point – Anais’s journey of self-discovery, self-destruction, and quest to find her place in the world is an anarchic, turbulent run and at some points, she is bound to lose her footing. Thankfully, she always gets up and we want to see what she does next.
★★★★
Drama | 2021 | Peccadillo Pictures | Cinema and On Demand | Dir: Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet | Anaïs Demoustier,
Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Denis Podalydès
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