New Movies: Just the Two of Us (2023) by Valérie Donzelli: The Slow Burn of Obsessive Love
- dailyentertainment95
- Jul 19
- 11 min read
Movie Summary: Love Turns to Torment
Just the Two of Us (L'Amour et les Forêts) (2023) by Valérie Donzelli is a gripping psychological drama and romantic thriller that meticulously charts the descent of an intense love affair into a suffocating, abusive relationship. The film follows Blanche as she falls deeply in love with Grégoire, only for his initial charm and passion to gradually morph into controlling behavior, psychological manipulation, and ultimately, a terrifying ordeal of domestic abuse. Donzelli masterfully blends the initial euphoria of romance with the insidious creep of obsession, portraying a chilling and intimate portrait of a woman trapped.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23049206/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lamour-et-les-forets (US), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/lamour-et-les-forets (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/lamour-et-les-forets (Italy)
Detailed Summary: From Whirlwind Romance to Psychological Prison
Valérie Donzelli's L'Amour et les Forêts (Just the Two of Us) is a searing adaptation of the novel by Éric Reinhardt, exploring the insidious nature of coercive control and intimate partner violence. The film is structured around a woman, Blanche, recounting her harrowing experience with a man who initially captivated her.
Initial Allure: The story begins with the passionate and seemingly perfect romance between Blanche and Grégoire. Their immediate, intense connection is depicted as an almost fated encounter, leading to a whirlwind romance, marriage, and the birth of their children.
Gradual Control: Grégoire's transformation is insidious and gradual. His intense love slowly becomes a possessive obsession. He begins to isolate Blanche from her family (particularly her twin sister Rose, who is often portrayed as a voice of warning), controls her finances, monitors her communications, and undermines her self-worth.
Psychological Manipulation: The core of the film lies in the psychological torment inflicted by Grégoire. His abuse is less physical and more a pervasive form of coercive control, making Blanche feel constantly scrutinized, blamed, and stripped of her autonomy.
Blanche's Isolation and Struggle: As Grégoire's grip tightens, Blanche becomes increasingly isolated and desperate. Her attempts to resist or escape are met with further manipulation, threats, and a chilling calm that makes her tormentor seem outwardly reasonable to others.
The Legal Battle and Aftermath: The narrative structure interweaves flashbacks of the relationship with Blanche's present-day testimony in a courtroom, seeking protection from her ex-husband. This dual timeline underscores the lasting trauma and the difficulty of proving psychological abuse. The film culminates in Blanche's desperate fight for freedom and justice, highlighting the systemic challenges faced by victims of coercive control.
Plot Summary: The Unraveling of a Passionate Bond
The film unfolds as Blanche, a seemingly ordinary woman, begins a new chapter in her life in Brittany. There, she encounters Grégoire, an intense and charming man, with whom she instantly develops a passionate and overwhelming connection. Their romance quickly blossoms, leading to marriage and the birth of two children.
The Honeymoon Phase and Subtle Shifts: Initially, their love is portrayed as idyllic and all-consuming. However, subtle red flags begin to emerge. Grégoire's intense devotion gradually morphs into possessiveness and a desire for absolute control over Blanche's life.
Isolation and Control: Grégoire systematically isolates Blanche from her loved ones, particularly her twin sister, Rose, who often sees through his facade. He takes control of their finances, dictates her daily activities, monitors her communications, and gradually undermines her confidence and sense of self-worth.
Escalation of Psychological Abuse: The abuse is primarily psychological, manifesting as constant criticism, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and threats. Blanche lives in a state of perpetual anxiety and fear, constantly trying to appease Grégoire while feeling her identity erode.
The Breaking Point and Legal Fight: After enduring years of this coercive control, Blanche reaches her breaking point. She eventually manages to escape the relationship, but the torment doesn't end there. The latter part of the film focuses on her arduous legal battle to obtain a restraining order against Grégoire, who continues to harass and intimidate her, exploiting legal loopholes and portraying himself as the victim.
Search for Justice and Recovery: The film interweaves scenes of Blanche's past ordeal with her present-day courtroom testimony, emphasizing the lasting trauma and the systemic difficulties in proving psychological abuse. It culminates in her desperate fight for justice and, ultimately, her journey toward reclaiming her life and sense of self, highlighting the devastating impact of coercive control.
Director's Vision: Donzelli's Blend of Romance, Intensity, and Social Critique
Valérie Donzelli, known for her distinctive and often emotionally charged storytelling (e.g., Declaration of War), brings a unique vision to Just the Two of Us:
Romantic Thriller Hybrid: Donzelli masterfully blends the initial intoxicating euphoria of a passionate romance with the slow, terrifying creep of a psychological thriller. She captures the deceptive nature of coercive control, where love slowly transforms into a weapon.
Intimate Perspective: The film largely adopts Blanche's subjective point of view, immersing the audience in her emotional and psychological torment. This allows for a deep understanding of how such abuse can be insidious and difficult to perceive from the outside.
Stylistic Nuances: Donzelli employs a range of stylistic choices, from the vibrant, almost whimsical early scenes of romance to the increasingly claustrophobic and chilling atmosphere as the abuse escalates. She uses music, lighting, and camera work to reflect Blanche's mental state.
Emphasis on Psychological Abuse: Rather than focusing on physical violence, Donzelli meticulously dissects the mechanisms of coercive control and psychological manipulation, highlighting its devastating impact, which is often harder to prove and understand.
Social Commentary: Beyond the personal drama, the film serves as a powerful commentary on domestic abuse, specifically the challenges victims face in seeking justice and escaping seemingly "invisible" forms of violence within intimate relationships. It also critiques societal perceptions and legal hurdles.
Themes: Obsession, Control, and the Fight for Autonomy
Just the Two of Us delves into a complex array of themes relevant to modern relationships and societal issues:
Coercive Control and Abuse: This is the central theme, meticulously exploring how love can be twisted into a tool for domination, stripping a person of their freedom, identity, and mental well-being without resorting to overt physical violence.
The Insidious Nature of Obsession: The film portrays how intense passion can devolve into pathological obsession, where one partner's desire for control eclipses love and respect.
Identity and Erasure: Blanche's struggle highlights how victims of coercive control can gradually lose their sense of self, as their abuser seeks to define and dominate every aspect of their existence.
Sisterhood and Support: The relationship between Blanche and her twin sister Rose offers a counterpoint to the toxic romance, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds and external support in overcoming abuse.
Justice and Legal System Flaws: The courtroom scenes expose the difficulties victims face in proving psychological abuse and the limitations of the legal system in adequately protecting them.
The Power of Narrative: Blanche's act of recounting her story is a powerful theme, representing her reclamation of agency and truth in the face of manipulation.
Key Success Factors: Performances and Timely Subject Matter
The critical and commercial success of Just the Two of Us is attributed to several key factors:
Virginie Efira's Tour-de-Force Performance: Critics widely lauded Virginie Efira's dual role as Blanche and Rose as a truly exceptional, nuanced, and physically demanding performance that anchors the film and makes Blanche's harrowing experience viscerally real. This was a significant factor in its critical acclaim and award nominations.
Timely and Important Subject Matter: The film tackles the critically important and increasingly recognized issue of coercive control and psychological abuse, resonating deeply with audiences and contributing to vital conversations.
Valérie Donzelli's Skillful Direction: Donzelli's ability to navigate the complex emotional landscape, blending romance and thriller elements while maintaining a focus on the psychological impact, was highly praised.
Compelling Screenplay: The adaptation of Éric Reinhardt's novel, co-written by Donzelli and Audrey Diwan, was effective in translating the novel's depth and tension to the screen.
Cannes Film Festival Premiere: Its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival provided significant international exposure and critical buzz.
Awards and Nominations: Critical Acclaim and Acting Recognition
Just the Two of Us has received significant critical acclaim, particularly for its lead performance, and has garnered several prestigious awards and nominations:
César Awards 2024:
Winner: Best Actress (Virginie Efira)
Nominee: Best Actor (Melvil Poupaud)
Nominee: Best Adapted Screenplay (Valérie Donzelli, Audrey Diwan)
Nominee: Best Original Music (Gabriel Yared, Nicolas Jaar)
Nominee: Best Cinematography (Laurent Tangy)
Lumière Awards 2024:
Winner: Best Actress (Virginie Efira)
Nominee: Best Film
Nominee: Best Screenplay
Cannes Film Festival 2023: Premiered in the Un Certain Regard section.
Cabourg Film Festival 2023:
Winner: Best Actress (Virginie Efira)
Winner: Best Actor (Melvil Poupaud)
Winner: Audience Award
FICF (International Film Festival of La Roche-sur-Yon) 2023:
Winner: Grand Prix du Jury (Valérie Donzelli)
Critics Reception: Overwhelmingly Positive for its Nuance and Performances
Just the Two of Us has been met with overwhelmingly positive critical reception, with particular praise directed at its powerful performances and nuanced portrayal of coercive control.
Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a Tomatometer score of 91% based on 33 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The consensus states: "An unsettling and incisive drama, Just the Two of Us showcases writer-director Valérie Donzelli's sharp eye for human nature, bolstered by a pair of captivating performances." (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)
Metacritic: The film holds a Metascore of 78 out of 100 based on 10 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews." (Source: Metacritic)
General Critical Consensus (from sources like Variety, The Guardian, Le Monde, Libération, Les Inrockuptibles, The Film Verdict):
Strengths: Critics universally lauded Virginie Efira's performance as "incandescent" (Le Monde), "breathtaking" (Variety), and "utterly convincing." Melvil Poupaud's portrayal of Grégoire was also frequently praised for its chilling subtlety. Donzelli's direction was commended for its "precision and power" (The Guardian), effectively showing the "escalation of psychological violence" (The Film Verdict) and the insidious nature of coercive control without relying on clichés. The film's ability to explore "the dark side of romantic passion" (Screen Daily) and its "cunningly constructed narrative" (Deadline) were also highlighted.
Minor Reservations: Some very minor critiques noted that the film's shifts in tone could be jarring for some viewers, or that the narrative structure, while effective, occasionally felt a little too detached. However, these were generally overshadowed by the film's overall impact.
Reviews: Viscerally Affecting and Socially Relevant
Audience and critical reviews from various film publications and online platforms overwhelmingly describe Just the Two of Us as a viscerally affecting and deeply relevant film.
Impactful Portrayal: Reviewers frequently used terms like "harrowing," "chilling," and "unflinching" to describe the film's depiction of psychological abuse. Many expressed how the film made them feel Blanche's claustrophobia and terror, making it a profoundly unsettling experience.
Praise for Acting: Virginie Efira's performance was consistently cited as a major highlight, with reviewers expressing awe at her ability to convey such a wide range of emotions and the gradual erosion of her character's spirit. Melvil Poupaud's portrayal of the abuser was also noted for its chilling realism.
Relevance to Real-World Issues: Audiences and critics found the film to be an important contribution to the conversation around domestic abuse and coercive control, recognizing its accurate and sensitive portrayal of a difficult subject that is often misunderstood. Many appreciated its focus on the psychological rather than physical aspects of abuse.
Engaging Storytelling: Despite the difficult subject matter, reviewers found the film to be incredibly engaging and well-paced, with Donzelli's direction maintaining tension throughout. The narrative structure, interweaving past and present, was also praised for its effectiveness in conveying the lasting impact of trauma.
Box Office: Strong French Performance
Just the Two of Us performed strongly at the French box office, demonstrating its critical and popular appeal in its home country.
French Admissions: The film recorded 849,207 admissions (entrées) in France. (Source: JP Box-Office)
Worldwide Gross: The film grossed $6.6 million worldwide. (Source: Box Office Mojo)
This performance is considered very good for a French drama, indicating that it resonated well with domestic audiences.
Release Date on Streaming: Available on French Platforms
Just the Two of Us is available for streaming on various platforms, primarily in France.
VOD/Digital Release: It was released on VOD (Video On Demand) in France starting October 5, 2023. (Source: AlloCiné, UniversCiné)
Streaming Services: It is available for streaming on platforms such as Canal+ (France), OCS (France), and MyCanal (France). (Source: AlloCiné, JustWatch)
International streaming availability varies by region and specific distribution agreements.
Theatrical Release: French Premiere and Cannes Debut
Just the Two of Us had its significant premiere at the Cannes Film Festival before its general theatrical release in France.
Cannes Film Festival Premiere: The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2023.
French Theatrical Release: May 24, 2023 (France). (Source: Allociné, Unifrance)
International Releases: It subsequently had theatrical releases in other countries, including Belgium (May 24, 2023) and Switzerland (May 24, 2023). (Source: IMDb)
Why to Watch This Movie: A Vital and Haunting Drama
Just the Two of Us is a vital and haunting film that should be watched for several compelling reasons:
Masterclass in Performance: Virginie Efira delivers a truly career-defining performance, portraying the harrowing journey of a woman under coercive control with raw authenticity and immense emotional depth. It's a must-see for acting enthusiasts.
Crucial Social Commentary: The film offers a powerful and nuanced portrayal of psychological abuse, shedding light on a form of domestic violence that is often invisible, misunderstood, and challenging to prove. It's an important film for raising awareness and fostering understanding.
Expert Direction by Valérie Donzelli: Donzelli handles extremely sensitive material with precision, blending elements of romance and thriller to create a compelling and deeply unsettling narrative that avoids sensationalism.
Gripping Psychological Drama: Beyond its social relevance, the film is a taut and captivating psychological drama that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as Blanche's world slowly unravels.
Timely and Relevant: In an era where discussions around consent, healthy relationships, and different forms of abuse are increasingly prevalent, this film offers a timely and impactful contribution.
What Movie Trend Film is Following: The Intimate Psychological Thriller
Just the Two of Us firmly aligns with the growing trend of intimate psychological thrillers that delve into toxic relationships and coercive control. This trend often focuses on:
Domestic Thrillers: Stories set within the seemingly safe confines of a home or intimate relationship, where the danger comes from within.
Psychological Depth: Prioritizing the mental and emotional torment of characters over physical action, exploring the insidious nature of manipulation and control.
Female-Centric Narratives: Often featuring complex female protagonists who are victims of abuse but also resilient fighters for their autonomy.
Social Realism: Grounding the narrative in realistic portrayals of abuse, often drawing from real-life experiences or legal cases to highlight systemic issues.
Thematically Rich: Using the thriller framework to explore deeper themes of power dynamics, identity, and the boundaries of love.
What Big Social Trend is Following: Awareness of Coercive Control and Invisible Abuse
Just the Two of Us taps directly into the significant and increasingly recognized social trend of heightened awareness and understanding of coercive control and non-physical forms of domestic abuse. In recent years, there has been a global shift towards recognizing that abuse extends far beyond physical violence, encompassing psychological manipulation, isolation, and financial control. The film reflects:
Recognition of Hidden Abuse: A societal demand to acknowledge and address forms of violence that are often "invisible" or dismissed, yet profoundly damaging.
Victim Empowerment: A growing movement to support victims in recognizing and escaping coercive relationships, and to provide legal and social frameworks for their protection.
Deconstructing Toxic Masculinity: The film implicitly contributes to conversations about unhealthy power dynamics and destructive behaviors in relationships.
Legal Reform: The increasing recognition of coercive control in legal systems worldwide, as governments and legal bodies adapt to protect victims from this complex form of abuse.
Final Verdict: A Vital and Unforgettable Portrayal of Control
Just the Two of Us (2023) by Valérie Donzelli is a vital, unsettling, and exceptionally well-crafted film that offers an unflinching look at the insidious nature of coercive control. Anchored by Virginie Efira's truly extraordinary performance, the movie transforms from a passionate romance into a gripping psychological thriller, meticulously dissecting how love can be twisted into a tool for psychological torture. Donzelli's sensitive yet powerful direction ensures the film is not just a compelling drama but also a crucial social commentary on the invisible forms of domestic abuse. It is an unforgettable and profoundly impactful viewing experience that resonates deeply and sheds essential light on a critical contemporary issue.
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