MovieChat Forums > Ensemble, c'est tout (2007) Discussion > Stupid aspects of the plot

Stupid aspects of the plot

posted 16 years ago by paulk_x
4 replies | jump to latest

I saw this yesterday, here (Australia) it's titled "Hunting and Gathering" instead of a translation of the French title.

I enjoyed all aspects of the movie, haven't read the book, but two aspects confused me.

1) Philibert's engagement. WTH? He proposes his girlfriend who the audience hardly meets, Philibert is the most interesting out of the trio, yet his prospective fiance gets about 20 seconds of screen time?
It's so jarring when he proposes before his performance, it should be significant, but it's not because we hardly even know the woman.

2) The plot arc was a tad predictable. Halfway through the movie everybody is happy, the situation has worked out perfect, and surprise surprise, tragedy strikes. The plot itself is satisfying but the abrupt change between happiness and disconnection is so clumsy and immediate, like switching off a light. it really is irritating and frustrating.

[–] bmwm913 16 years ago

I have not seen the movie so I cannot compare but I have read the book.

In reference to your first complaint that is how it plays out in the book. The reader does not meet the fiancée until Philou proposes on stage. We only get a slight hint before hand that there even is a girl at all. We learn her name and that she laughs all the time – other then that there are no other aspects of the woman written so…

As for the plot arc well (again I have not seen the movie) the characters are never quite happy until the end. Franck is always dissatisfied with his relationship with Camille until she finally breaks down and leans on him. Camille is still a mess inside until Franck almost leaves for England. Even the grandmother is not happy. She is more content at some moments then other but rarely happy. Philou is the only one that is happy – after his breakthrough with his performance and subsequent engagement and marriage.

[–] HaloumiMan 16 years ago

Couldn't have put it better myself, paulk x, just saw it here in Australia too, every character's arc was resolved halfway through the second act. The characters didn't have enough substance to provide sufficient conflict for a feature length film.

I love haloumi cheese

[–] vanillainflux 15 years ago

this movie was not great, i constantly watch french movies, so it was just this one that lacked something for me. i was annoyed by camille's utter sweetness when she took care of the the granny, the semi nude drawing, i found the sex scene and generally the couple's love to be too...quick. i'm not asking for hollywood but i just didn't find this movie very good.
grilled halloumi cheese with fresh tomatoes in a pita bread rocks my world.

it's a dirty world Reich, say what you want

[–] batea 16 years ago

French movies don't work the same as US produced ones. Generally speaking [and I am generalising here] US movies spell everything out to the nth degree; so yes if "Hunting & Gathering" had been made in Hollywood you'd have seen Philibert's romance unfurl, sex scenes and all. Not so in France. Nuances, gestures. Implied but not seen. His absence from the apartment, his gradually disappearing stutter, against the background that the audience KNOWS she's in the play too. French cinema - like French literature - makes the audience do a bit of the work too. You have to think rather than just take at face value just what's presented on screen.
The english title is crap, as "Ensemble c'est tout" ["Together(ness), is everything"] renders better the idea that these are all lonely people desperately crushed by the duty or obligation in their backgrounds, but together they learn to deal with it and spit out the poison.
And clumsy, unpredictable aspects of the relationship. Come on! You've never in real life had a relationship where something comes out of left field to take you off guard??? People ARE unpredictable!
I found the movie delightful.
BateA