Cafe de Flore

For a less commercial flare and a trip to the art house cinema, aka Fifth Avenue Cinemas in this case, the more serious cinephile may want to look into Jean-Marc Valleé's latest film Café de Flore. His last films you may remember as The Young Victoria and C.R.A.Z.Y.  

Café de Flore is a love story, and one definitely for the women out there. Set in 2 timelines, the relationship of a mother and son unfolds interweaving with the relationship of a newly divorced couple where ex-wife Carole played by Helene Florent can't seem to let go of her obsession with her husband Antoine in present day.

Mother and son live in 1960s Paris where he is a child born with Down syndrome, tearing at your heartstrings as his mother tries to keep him safe from society and with her, even separating him from a young girl also with Down syndrome that he connects with. 

The two stories come together in a slow but perhaps inevitably way as we get mythical about love and soulmates. Sleepwalking and dreams will hopefully have you thinking a bit and pondering as to what is love and how it embeds itself in every fibre of our being.  With strong performances all around, especially from the young cast, this is one solid film you won't want to miss.

3.75/5