Review of Laurence Anyways (2012) by Richard L — 04 Oct 2014

Xavier Dolan's third film deviates from the dark humor of his previous works to focus on the drama of Laurence and Frédérique, a couple facing new challenges when Laurence at age 35 reveals to Fred that he can no longer live as a man. Suzanne Clément is remarkable as Fred, a woman trying to be true to herself while supporting Laurence through his first awkward steps to transition.

Although occasionally drifting into melodrama, the movie explores the complexity of their relationship with a unique eye, one that merges the intimacy and vibrant primary colors of Dolan's earlier works with a more clinical, documenting eye that reminds of Stanley Kubrick. The movie also includes Dolan's typical cinematic lyricism, moments that are always beautiful and meant to convey a character's inner emotional world, but sometimes seem to interrupt the otherwise grounded narrative. I was also occasionally reminded that this early twentysomething director is telling a story set during the 90s, when he was just a small child; he is definitely maturing as a storyteller, but his middle-aged characters sometimes seem to behave more like early twentysomethings.

Melvil Poupaud is a wonderful Laurence, a character transitioning despite the initially cold reaction of her family and the complex responses by Fred. I wanted to know more about her, though, with more glimpses of the struggle she must have had during the first 35 years of her life, as a man. This ends up feeling more like Fred's movie than Laurence's, because I think the movie explores Fred's perspective more diligently.

One strong point of Dolan's films is the complexity of female characters. An especially engaging supporting character was Laurence's mom, played by Nathalie Baye. Her story arc and interactions with Laurence are emotionally raw but rewarding and eventually quite positive. Monia Chokri is also great as Fred's sister. Her own eventual acceptance of Laurence serves as a hopeful note late in the movie, a note that is also misleading, leading to a conclusion that is very painful. The movie is so hopeful, but where the movie ends is heartbreaking and powerful.