Vic + Flo ont vu un ours (2013) Reviews

• Bound

  kosmasp2013-08-13

  It's captivating if you let it, as another reviewer stated here. It's very strange that even though you feel that the movie goes off a couple of times (you could also call it being inconsistent and off-balance), there is a weird enticing element to it. And it's not the fact that we have lesbians in the main role. There is another level to the movie, that is a layer of mystery, that might leave you with a few questions you might not be able to answer. But you'll either cherish that thought or think that it is redundant. If it's the former you will be able to enjoy the movie to a certain degree. The relationships between characters is very important. But the ending is really not holding back either ... You'll love it or hate it

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• What a surprise!

  dibeyendu2013-10-23

  Watched this movie at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival and it was a totally unexpected treat. I thought it would be a mushy lesbian movie, instead, it turned to be a stark, violent film about ex-cons. The look of the film is superb, set as it is in the rural backwaters of Quebec. The forest, the tin house, the narrow roads, the soft autumn light, even the brief glimpse of a town when the three main actors go to a diner after a tour of the local museum. The casting is perfect, with each of the actors looking the part, including the bad girl who looks so very evil in the end. The films at first lulls you into thinking its a staid drama (with the two leading ladies roaming the rural roads on a golf-cart like vehicle), but then it turns grim and rather scary. I liked the "bossy" parole officer (didn't realize he was gay until Flo said so!) who turns out to be all sentimental in the end.

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• Intriguing story and intriguing characters mixed together

  JvH482013-04-02

  I saw this film at the Berlinale 2013, where is was part of the official Competition. The story line is an achievement in itself, because of mixing an intriguing story together with intriguing characters. Throwing in a parole officer who pops up every now and then, plus some people out of the past with an ax to grind, plus a remote cottage far away from everyone, all this combined creates a setting for an interesting story. All the time it keeps you wondering what will happen next, with hidden agenda's all around. Even a friendly woman who offers to help with the garden, cannot be trusted, so it seems. It is next to impossible condensing the story here in a few sentences. Moreover, I think it is counter productive to reveal too much of what is going to happen. Lean back and wait for several surprises. (*** warning *** spoiler ahead***) Pity that it ended so miserably for the two main characters. After the Berlinale festival I learned that this film received the Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear), (start quote) "awarded in memory of the Festival Founder, for a feature film that opens new perspectives" (end quote). I'm not sure I concur, due to my failure to feel with either one of the characters involved. This may be my fault, of course, but it gets in the way of recommending this film without any hesitation. Still, a remarkable piece of work, augmented with great casting and acting all along.

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• A Decent Story of Ex-Convicts' plight

  pc952014-10-03

  (spoilers) Director and writer Denis Cote of "Vic + Flo saw a Bear" has come up with an interesting set of characters and predicaments. His movie is at once quirky but foreboding. The ending certainly doesn't creep up on you, and seems sort of mal-formed for the tone of the story earlier in the runtime. Convicts must pay for their past, and they do so in more ways than time in prison as evidenced in this story. I liked the younger character Flo, who has a better understanding of her predicament than Vic. Some added details might've been a little more satisfying with the whole vendetta, but this movie is good, especially as it continues on and acting is fairly well done on the whole. 7/10

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