Not My Type (Pas son genre), 2014
Directed by Lucas Belvaux.
Starring Émilie Dequenne, Loïc Corbery, Clément Le Guern, Sandra Nkake, Charlotte Talpaert, Anne Coesens, Daniela Bisconti and Didier Sandre.
SYNOPSIS:
A Parisian philosophy professor transferred to a dull provincial town learns to cut loose and live a little after he meets a brassy blonde coiffeuse.
A woman cries as her boyfriend has just ended their relationship; he also experiences a shock as the academic must spend a year away from Paris teaching in Arras. Life becomes more interesting when the new visitor to the city encounters a hometown girl who cuts his hair for him and a courtship begins.
From the beginning the differences between Jennifer and Clément are emphasized; she is an outgoing single mother who makes use of bright colours, and loves keeping track of Hollywood celebrities whereas he is emotionally reserved, conservatively wears black attire, and prefers to intellectualize about life.
The theme for each act is tied to three karaoke numbers performed by Jennifer and her two hairdressing colleagues. A whimsical score makes for a breezy and light hearted tone but complications soon arise with more dramatic elements take precedent as Jennifer is looking to settle down but is unsure that her lover can do the same thing.
Moments are not rushed allowing for a slow burn to take place and for the audience to develop a relationship with the lead actors. Émilie Dequenne (Brotherhood of the Wolf) could have easily gone over-the-top with her portrayal of Jennifer but instead decided to emphasize her vulnerability, thereby, making the role endearing and Loïc Corbery (The Time of Silence) is able to convey a sense of aloofness. The appeal of the movie is dependent upon the performance of Dequenne who has to make the ending which comes with an emotional jolt one that is true to her character and the story.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★★★/ Movie: ★★★
Originally published September 2, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
