“Love at Twenty” unites five directors from around the world to present their different perspectives on what love really is at the age of 20. The episodes are united with the score of Georges Delerue and still photos of Henri Cartier-Bresson. The directors create their peculiar scenarios with Truffaut revisiting Antoine Doinel, this time finding some meaning to his life while getting involved with a girl; Renzo Rossellini’s episode about an abandoned mistress; Ishihara’s tale about an obsessive love; Ophüls’ story about a pregnant woman trying to plot against the baby’s father; and Wajda presenting a confusing relationship between people from different generations.
Connections
4 out of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
General information
2023-04-28
“Love at Twenty” is a French film anthology that was released in 1962, directed by Francois Truffaut, Shintaro Ishihara, Marcel Ophuls, Renzo Rossellini, and Andrzej Wajda. The film features five short stories that revolve around the theme of love and relationships, each directed by a different filmmaker.
The first segment, “Antoine and Colette,” directed by Francois Truffaut, follows Antoine Doinel (played by Jean-Pierre Léaud), a young man who falls in love with Colette (Marie-France Pisier), a girl he meets at a classical music concert. The story explores the ups and downs of their relationship as Antoine tries to win Colette’s heart.
The second segment, “Attractive Guy,” directed by Shintaro Ishihara, is a tale of unrequited love between a young Japanese woman and a handsome American soldier stationed in Japan.
The third segment, “The Departure,” directed by Marcel Ophuls, focuses on a young German woman who falls in love with a Frenchman, only to be faced with the reality of their cultural differences.
The fourth segment, “Meeting in Paris,” directed by Renzo Rossellini, is a story of two Italian immigrants living in Paris who meet and fall in love, despite the language barrier.
Finally, the fifth and last segment, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” directed by Andrzej Wajda, is a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale, with a love triangle at its center.
Overall, “Love at Twenty” is a charming and diverse collection of stories that explores the complex nature of love and relationships. The film is beautifully shot and features some standout performances, particularly from Jean-Pierre Léaud and Marie-France Pisier in the first segment. While some of the stories are stronger than others, the film as a whole is a worthwhile watch for fans of romantic dramas and international cinema.
Verified