Lover for a Day

Lover for a Day, is a 2018 movie out of France.  Phillipe Garrel tackles the concept of love and relationships in this short 76 minute feature film.  Jeanne, a 23 year old moves back in with her father after a harsh break up to discover that he is dating a graduate student of the same age as her.

While Garrel, attempts to tackle much of the commentary seen in many Woody Allen films, I think this was more of why I just couldn't seem to sink my teeth in the movie.  Where it lacks in sarcastic New York dialogue, the movie makes up for in the stark contrast of light, in the black and white and focus on physical lines of windows, stair cases, doorways, bookcases. 


I was far more fascinated by the framing of the scenes than I was of the dialogue or the odd triangle dynamics of the crammed French apartment.  As a result, questions of fidelity arise and what individuals bring together in a relationship, whether it be family, friends or intimate.  While it was titled Lover for a Day, I went in thinking it would be more a film that questions the May-December type romances, but rather focuses more on the odd subordinate budding friendship relationship between the daughter and graduate student.  Ironically enough, this was the only relationship throughout the film that was able to hold my interest. 

I found that this film was fairly predictable in the sense, in which relationships were going to last and which ones weren't.  It also seemed like nothing new to the romantic comedy approach.  Ordinary people trying to being ordinary, but somehow managing to really screwing up every decent relationship.  Despite this, it does raise questions on how truthful an individual is towards what they claim they want in existing relationships, whether it be a romantic relationship or not.  While, early on in the movie, questions and answers were given on a few different notes.  While originally, the idea of potentially exploring other side pieces, was discussed, this was the ultimate demise of everyone's concept of relationships.  While Jeanne is trying to win her father back in a more focused attempt in solving her life's drama, scenes do become resonate of vindictive behavior of Allen's films that women can only serve as pawns in a man's world.  I have never been a fan of Allen's films, and I think as a result, I just couldn't grasp Garrel's artistic approach, as it seemed far to similar.