Seuls sont les indomptés (1962) – « C’est facile d’aller en prison »

Pas besoin de papiers pour savoir qui je suis, je le sais

Jack gets himself voluntarily incarcerated in order to free an old friend.

The film is quiet, without fanfare, mostly amusing due to the antics with the comically named horse, Whisky, and lines like, "You're worse than a woman." It also symbolizes rebellion against modern diktats: horse versus car. The main character is an anarchist, unbound by anything; he is free in all circumstances, a cowboy out of time amidst industrialization. His impossible struggle is against society itself. The scenes where the hero and his horse labor to climb steep slopes are truly gripping.

Ainsi va la vie (1998) – « Grand-mère empaille les vilains chiens »

Regarde Kermit. Tu crois que c’est facile d’être vert ?

Birdee learns on a TV show that her husband is cheating on her with her best friend.

The characters are deeply endearing and moving, from the grandmother to the little girl, especially when the latter wishes to live with a father who no longer wants her. The writing is fabulously fluid and light. The storyline is simple but fundamentally effective. Nevertheless, the message is clear and somewhat simplistic: men are simply jerks.

N’oublie jamais (2004) – « J’essaie de crever, mais ils veulent pas »

Je n’ai rien d’original. Je suis un homme ordinaire, aux pensées et à la vie ordinaires. Aucun monument ne m’est dédié et mon nom sera vite oublié. Mais d’un certain côté, j’ai magnifiquement réussi. J’ai aimé de tout mon cœur, et c’est plus que suffisant

Duke reads the same story, recounting the love affair between Noah and Allie, every day to a woman suffering from dementia.

This film inspires a longing to be romantic, even dreamy. It's a true lesson on the grand love that one *never forgets*. Rachel McAdams's performance is truly remarkable, elevating this rom-com from mediocrity. The romantic comedy genre is undoubtedly clichéd, bloated with tropes, but occasionally, it's refreshing, especially when watching a high point in the genre. However, despite its extreme predictability, I was more captivated by the story of the two elderly characters, one of whom is the director's mother, than by the young lovers, which only occupies a small portion of the film. The movie is a prime example of cheesiness, and I’m somewhat ashamed of having such a positive view. Still, the work fully embraces its sentimental nature, created mostly for hopeless romantics.