5 x 2

Francois Ozon’s latest, a clinical dissection of marital failure, is a cunning, contemplative film that relies on the implication rather than the explicit presentation of drama. As the title suggests, the film is structured episodically with five scenes from Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi and Stephane Freiss’ marriage. That these run backwards from their decree absolute to their first meaningful meeting may sound rather gimmicky, but the chronology suits Ozon’s purposes eminently well, and happily, there’s no nine-minute anal rape sequence.
The shadow cast by the opening divorce creates an almost eerie sense of foreboding, as we sift through the seeds of domestic disquietude. Rather than depicting screaming rows and broken plates, the film takes in quieter moments – an awkward dinner party, a walk after their wedding – with a cumulative effect that’s akin to being in the eye of a hurricane.
That said, this affecting personal tragedy is an Ozon movie, and as a noted woman’s director, there’s a slight imbalance in the characterisation. She’s lively and sexy as hell. He’s just, well, maggoty, and on more than one occasion I found myself wondering how the hell he bagged her. Maybe the adage is true. Maybe all women marry beneath them.

Running Time 90mins. Cert 15a. Opens March 18th.