Review of He Loves Me… He Loves Me Not (2002) by Arnold P — 04 Aug 2008

(À la folie... pas du tout).

Audrey Tatou portrays Angelique; a beautiful and talented art student who falls deeply in love with married cardiologist Loïc. Over the first half of this movie, they plan how he will escape from his unhappy marriage, his pregnant wife and live an idyllic existence together. Initially, the story focuses on Angelique's point of view; we see her conspiring with her treacherous paramour, leaving voicemail messages and sending love letters and as such, this appears to be no more than a conventional, if rather sordid tale of betrayal and marital infidelity.

However, half way through the movie, our perspective changes, and now we see the story through the eyes of Angelique?s object of desire; Loïc. Without giving away the ingenious premise, I will say that the story is not as straightforward as it first appears. Our preconceptions and expectations are challenged, and the personalities of the participants are laid bare. This is a sometimes uncomfortable examination of obsession and the lengths human beings will go to in the name of love.