Just the Two of Us

2023 [FRENCH]

Action / Drama / Thriller

6
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 55% · 18 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 55%
IMDb Rating 6.5/10 10 3459 3.5K

Plot summary

When Blanche meets Grégoire, she thinks she has found the one. The ties that bind them grow quickly, and a passionate affair ensues. Together, they relocate. For Blanche, far from her family, from her twin sister, Rose, a new life begins. But little by little, she finds herself caught in the grip of a deeply possessive and dangerous man.

Director

Valérie Donzelli Photo
Valérie Donzelli

Top cast

Virginie Efira Photo
Virginie Efira as Blanche Renard / Rose Renard
Nathalie Richard Photo
Nathalie Richard as La gynécologue
Marie Rivière Photo
Marie Rivière as La mère
Philippe Uchan Photo
Philippe Uchan as Jérôme Vierson
720p.BluRay 720p.WEB 1080p.BluRay 1080p.WEB
958.92 MB
1200*720
French 2.0
NR
Subtitles fr  
24 fps
1 hr 44 min
Seeds 4
961.52 MB
1198*720
French 2.0
NR
Subtitles fr  
24 fps
1 hr 44 min
Seeds 3
1.93 GB
1800*1080
French 5.1
NR
Subtitles fr  
24 fps
1 hr 44 min
Seeds 5
1.93 GB
1724*1036
French 5.1
NR
Subtitles fr  
24 fps
1 hr 44 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by ASuiGeneris 6 / 10

"Us" Film Limits "I" Character & Story Development

The domestic abuse subgenre has a large range in quality. This one is above average. Passionate performances; excellent supporting cast.Points penalized for distracting and utterly useless use of twins in the plot. Likewise for black and white thinking- he was not all bad and she was not all good.Educational and important to instruct women- and men- to recognize themselves in what could be abusive relationships, even though maybe nobody is physically abused, there are plenty of other ways to be abused. Psychological torture can indeed be less tolerable and more painful than a slap in the face.Other than this highly polished demonstration of the complicated ways abuse can manifest and how easy it can be to forget ourselves within the box we have created with our romantic partners- yes, even you, intelligent that you are- and a startling reminder that even the most moral, normal, people can be hiding the deepest, darkest secrets, there was little in the way of character development. Anything that took place outside the "Us" was not handled well- namely, the twin subplot, which felt more like a gimmick or ploy to mislead the audience into believing it would evolve into a secondary storyline involving some horror aspects or, at the very least, switching places.Arguably, there was not much more to the two main characters besides this all-consuming relationship to one another- for, as the title says, it was them and only them; over "Us", zero "I". However, it still resulted in a film that leaves audience members wanting and a story that feels unbalanced.Recommended for its possible selfhelp and societal value, but audiences should not expect too much as far as a rewarding climax or an otherwise fulfilling film.
Reviewed by Giuseppe_Silecchia 8 / 10

A gripping tale of love and control

Valérie Donzelli's *Just the Two of Us* (*L'amour et les forêts*) is a chilling exploration of the thin line between passion and possession. Adapted from Éric Reinhardt's novel, the film follows Blanche Renard (Virginie Efira), a woman who falls for the charming and enigmatic Greg Lamoureux (Melvil Poupaud). What begins as a dream romance quickly unravels into a harrowing story of manipulation and emotional abuse.Virginie Efira delivers a heartbreaking performance as Blanche, capturing the vulnerability and strength of a woman trapped in a toxic relationship. Melvil Poupaud is hauntingly convincing as Greg, whose possessiveness and control escalate with a quiet menace that keeps the tension palpable throughout. Their dynamic drives the film, creating moments that are both devastating and utterly compelling.Donzelli's direction is intimate and unflinching, using close, often claustrophobic framing to reflect Blanche's emotional confinement. The film's pacing is taut, gradually intensifying as Greg's behavior becomes increasingly dangerous. The screenplay, co-written by Audrey Diwan and Donzelli, is sharp and nuanced, offering an unvarnished look at the psychological toll of abuse while avoiding melodrama.The cinematography contrasts the idyllic beginnings of Blanche and Greg's relationship with the dark, oppressive atmosphere of its descent, enhancing the emotional weight of the story. The score, subtle yet haunting, underscores the film's themes of love turned toxic.*Just the Two of Us* is a powerful and unrelenting film that speaks to the complexities of abusive relationships. Best watched in a quiet setting, it's a story that demands attention and reflection, shining a light on the courage it takes to confront and escape such situations.Rating: 8/10 - A tense, emotionally charged depiction of love and its dangerous shadows.
Reviewed by lilianaoana 8 / 10

Uncomfortable and triggering

Go out more they said. Meet men they said. Maybe that's not such a great idea after all... Lamoureux is anything but amoureux.It's very uncomfortable and triggering. Watching the degree to which a woman allows a man to degrade her. And for what, for the love that he once gave her? Which was all clearly staged, a carefully conceived trap.Peak confidence for a domestic abuser - admit he's an abuser and then blame her for allowing it to happen, for not loving him enough to prevent him from turning into an abuser.Yeah, cats and wine seem better companions.Not all men they said. Enough though.
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