Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance WriterON THIS side of the Atlantic stories of female friendship and bonding have become standard features of the movies. The French film Le Coeur des Hommes (Men's Heart) takes a look at the other side, friendship between men.
Directed by Marc Esposito, Le Coeur des Hommes is an interesting slice of life drama.
The movie focuses on four men, Alex, Jeff, Manuel, and Antoine. Though they are very different, they are bound by their love for sports and their understanding of each other. As such BLe Coeur des Hommes is far more than the buddy movie, which simply shows two men who meet and get along despite their personalities. Buddy movies usually need action or comedy, or both to get them through. Le Coeur des Hommes needs neither.
While Alex, Manu and Antoine are all middle-aged, Jeff is closer to old. Hurt by his former wife's betrayal, he is having trouble with his new girlfriend who is half his age. Alex on the other hand is happily married, though he insists on playing the field on a daily basis. Antoine is also married, though he is faithful while Manu has been married twice but is single at the start of the film.
These four men are constantly a part of each other's lives. They see each other every week, often with a standard routine and speak to each other daily.
SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON
More importantly, they provide each other with shoulders to lean on (even when they are not wanted) at times of tragedy, and try to keep each other from ruining their lives. Le Coeur des Hommes belies the idea that men only speak of sports when they are together. These four do, but they speak of much more.
Interestingly, many stories which seem to deify male friendships, such as The Merchant of Venice or The Lord of the Rings gain a homo-erotic tint. This is quite different for Le Coeur des Hommes. The reason is simple. Though their friendship is clearly important and the mirror though which we glance at their hearts, the rest of their life, their loves, mothers, children are also quite important, even when the glance is peripheral or told through the third person.
Though the film speaks of men, its truths and examination of friendship can be translated to the general. As such, though it will probably not rank as the most outstanding film of the festival, it is worth watching.
Le Coeur des Hommes is one of 16 films slated for the Francophone Film Festival presented by Alliance Francaise de la Jamaique in association with the diplomatic missions of France and Canada. The first public screening of the festival takes place on Thursday, November 11 at the Palace Cineplex, Sovereign Centre. Le Coeur des Hommes will be screened on November 16, 2004.
