La Belle Personne (8.5/10)

I felt while watching this film that their school is very court like. The relationships and the drama felt like a rehashed version of an old shakespeare work. To my surprise in the closing credits the film was said to be based loosely on La Princesse de Clèves. It's an old book about love in court during the time of Henry II. The theme is that love is temporary, and the film carries that over nicely. "La Belle Personne" is lovingly melancholy movie about love. It's sad and bleak (purposely and done fantastically) but hey... a sad movie is nice once in a while.

Junie (Lea Seydoux, looking great as always) moves to a new school after the death of her mother. It's a less classy school and the other students do look at her different. At first all the male students fall in love with Junie. A shy yet handsome boy by the name of Otto (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet) wins her though. They have a awkward yet nice conversation how there were many great Junie's in literature and no great Otto's. Soon enter the Italian teacher Nemours (Louis Garrel, when is he not giving it his all) and over the course of the film, Junie and Nemours start to have feelings for each other. Also FYI Nemours is a young man, in his twenties so there's no strange older man thing here. The film explores fleeting love and personal relationships in a highschool that's a paradox for a old fashion court. It's very fascinating, much more than I thought it would be. This is a winner (in a depressing way).

8.5/10
Recommendation: Set up like a classic play but in a modern age. A smart and loving film for those looking for one.