“Café de Flore” is an atypical French love story which seems so typical of French films. In this case, Canadian writer/director Jean-Marc Vallée weaves a pair of complex heartrending tales into parallel narratives. Each one flawlessly captures the multifaceted, fanatical, perplexing trials inherent in most ardent connections.
The film splits its time between 1960s Paris and present day Montreal in intertwining accounts detailing the complexities of love, the concept of soul mates and the near impossible task of letting go while being strangled by the heartache of unrequited love. While one narrative chronicles the lives of a devoted mother, played by Vanessa Paradis, and her young Down Syndrome son, the other follows a Montreal DJ (Kevin Parent) as he succumbs to the temptation of finding his soul mate Rose (Évelyne Brochu). Meanwhile, his wife Carole (Hélène Florent) and two young daughters must deal with the aftermath.
Although initially the separation of decades and relationship types (familial vs. romantic) may strike a dissonant cord in creating a cohesive film, it is this very dissonance which drives ” Café de Flore” to greatness. Vallée takes common themes to uncommon heights and keeps the viewer entranced through to the final note of absolute tragedy and bittersweet joy. The genius and profundity of comparing a mother whose son has become the love of her life to that of a woman unable to come to terms with her husband’s new life is not only seamlessly executed but makes perfect sense by the closing credits.
Paradis, the Chanel poster girl, singer, actress and former Mrs. Johnny Depp, expertly crafts the character of Jacqueline, a working class woman abandoned by her husband for choosing to keep her special needs son. Jacqueline’s bond with her son is so all-consuming and intense that when it comes time to let go, she is confronted with a devastation and rage she cannot fully comprehend or control. The struggle and infatuation Paradis so intensely brings to life onscreen is both mesmerizing and impressive.
Florent also creates a notable performance in the execution of her role as Carole. The same all-consuming emotions which plague Jacqueline are what nearly destroy Carole, as she struggles with extinguishing the hope that her childhood sweetheart, husband, father of her children and assumed soul mate, will return. As she becomes trapped in a self destructive haze, she must either accept the reality that her husband can no longer reciprocate her adoration and devotion or completely lose herself to her obsession. Florent doesn’t miss a beat as she flawlessly funnels through a range of emotions even Meryl Streep would find daunting.
“Café de Flore” is one of those screen gems which unexpectedly staggers and startles with poignant performances and the stark reality with which love is laid bare. Vallée seamlessly and unapologetically captures both the acquiescent tenderness and messy, painful brutality of love.
