5X2 DVD

Having enjoyed a handful of other films by François Ozon and having come across “5 x 2” on a number of occasions but always opting for a different film to watch, mainly because the premise of the film didn’t really appeal to me but, (as I “knew” I would do eventually anyway) I finally did end up buying a copy, and hoping that my previous reluctance to watch the film would be proved unnecessary, I so wanted this to be a good film but didn’t know what to expect. Well this was such a good film, everything about this film is so very, very, good.Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Stéphane Freiss are just amazing in their respective roles as the couple at the centre of the story, and the way that they, under the direction of François Ozon show that story is simply brilliant. The story is revealed at just the right pace and with bits that one is left to guess and make assumptions about at times. The supporting cast (which includes Françoise Fabian, Michael Lonsdale and Géraldine Pailhas) are equally good and help to fill in some of the missing parts of the couples story – it is a film where things are very much revealed rather than being told or signposted like much of Hollywood.The soundtrack works brilliantly as well. I enjoyed all of the music in the film, not all of the music is music that I would want to listen to outside of this film necessarily, but one song that I really loved hearing again was “Sparring Partner” by Paolo Conte, which was a delight to listen to.“5 x 2” was an absolute delight to watch and when it ended and the credits started to roll I was left thinking wow how good was that – just brilliant.On the DVD you get:“5 x 2” (1 hour 30 minutes)Scene SelectionExtra Features:The Making Of 5 x 2 (with English Subtitles) (16 minutes)Deleted Scenes (with English Subtitles) (17 minutes)Photo GalleryTheatrical Trailer (2 minutes)Other Releases (trailers):Bombon el PerroThe EdukatorsSwimming PoolLook at MeIntimate StrangersThe subtitles on the DVD are embedded and are not optional. They appear over the picture rather than under it and they are very legible.

Another flawless film from this great French director

5x2 is a really good French film and I really enjoyed it. The breakdown of a marriage / relationship depicted in sections, from the end of the marriage back to where they met and fell in love.

The breakdown of a marriage told in reverse and presenting five key scenes in the lives of the couple; it's an adult tale of disintegration given it's intense hotel-bedroom scene early in the movie; the performances are good and believable – it's a film one considers long after viewing.The standard UK DVD release has a 16-minute behind the scenes featurette which add little one's interpretation of the film as it concentrates on the shooting/performance processes; there also a few deleted scenes and a picture gallery.It is of course a French film with English subtitles.

I didn't like this film but each to their own.

I've friends who hold 5 x 2's director Francois Ozon in very high regard, as if he can do no wrong. This, like some of his others are very realistic, frank, often confrontational and make uncomfortable viewing. He's not my favourite director.I certainly think it helps if the viewer has had their share of life's relationship 'journeys', too. Not just to know what the dialogue's about but what makes some often rather unlikeable people 'tick' and to shrug off the extremely earthy talk as easily as the characters do.One of my favourite directors, Ingmar Bergman, could run a 3 hour film about relationships, as in his 'Scenes From A Marriage' and it would still hold interest til the end. 5 x 2 is much more adult, certainly less sweet but is strangely compelling.As I'm sure you know by now, this film runs in reverse, from divorce settlement right through to first meet. Don't let that worry you, it works perfectly fine and just unfolds almost as naturally as if it were the normal way round. This, my second viewing after many years, on Channel 4, is no easier to watch, however. The acting is first rate, no doubt but that intensity doesn't give one a break and one can become stifled by the film's honesty. However, first love generally being much sweeter than ugly divorce, it does get lighter toward the end, with a rather odd looking swimming into the sunset (as in Westerns) finale.My head tells me to give it 4 stars, but my heart says otherwise, three. The French songs that Ozon uses for the soundtrack though, are wonderful and get 5!

A very moving and uniquely structured film - one of Ozon's best.

I love this movie- the tragedy of th moment you meet and the frayed human you become throughthe divorce.. such a beautiful view of a relationship by Francois Ozon.