Review of Beau Travail (2000) by Phil S — 12 Oct 2007

This is a very odd film, beautifully shot, which characterises the routine and rigor of military life with an underlying thread concerning jealousy and youth. In parts it strays into depicting the unintentional homoeroticism of military life, but it is not ostensibly a gay film.

If anything, I think it is about fluidity, both in the interpersonal relationships of the men and in the effects on them of their physical rigour and routine so far away from other civilisation. To get the best out of it the film needs to be seen on the big screen to get the full impact of the mainly silent performances.

I also think that it loses something in translation. I got the feeling I would have seen a different film if I had understood the French. One way or another I think you will either love this or hate it and you will probably know in the first five minutes.

If you hate it, you probably wonâ??t have changed your mind by the end.