| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 30, 2006

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 21, 2005

Too trying and unwieldy to keep my attention.

| Original Score: C+ | May 8, 2004

One of the best French films of the year.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 26, 2003

Strives toward greatness, toward a complete understanding of life in the roiling, unsettled, complex locale they call Marseilles, and its partial success must be applauded.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 8, 2002

Director Robert Gudiguian, who wrote the script with Jean-Louis Milesi and co-produced his film, delivers a story that's particularly French but also sadly universal.

| Aug 9, 2002

For all of the apparent naturalness on screen, Guediguian's grim vision comes off as far too calculated.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 20, 2002

This ville is far from tranquille, but the French twist on this emotional powerhouse keeps proceedings meditative as things go into the gutter.

| Original Score: 85/100 | Jul 13, 2002

It's got a lot on its plate, and sometimes it overindulges, loses focus and plays too obviously. Still, it manages to remain forceful and moving.

| Jul 9, 2002

More successful as sociological argument than as cinematic narrative.

| Original Score: C | Jun 21, 2002

At two hours, this movie seems to drag on and on as the tragedies pile up. I found myself looking at my watch more than I was looking at the screen. If the town were a little more quiet, I would have taken a nap

| Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jun 21, 2002

It's a strong viewing experience but definitely worth the effort.

| Original Score: B | Jun 20, 2002

Recommended only if you like it dreary.

| Original Score: C+ | Mar 1, 2002

Bach and Chopin form clear cut patterns that underscore the emotionally depressing film ..., but a better choice would have included the impressionistic Debussy

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 1, 2002

It's a pitiless film, uncompromising in what it shows us.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Feb 22, 2002

Ultimately, the director plays overbearing god to them all, using the martyred Michale to drive his points down our throats, but the fine supporting cast superbly explores his complex town.

Full Review | Feb 21, 2002

Always, one gets the sense that this film is coming from some place real, and terrible.

| Feb 16, 2002

...the film's characters are familiar, real-life people, whose sadness reaches out from the screen.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 15, 2002

The characters themselves do not really engage us -- they depress us instead of breaking our hearts.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 15, 2002