When looking at my last updated list of favorite foreign language films, this clocked in at #23, although I admittedly had not seen it for a few years. I have viewed a boatload of films since creating that list, and although I might not put this as high as #23 now, it would still be on the list somewhere.

Two street people, Michèle and Alex, connect on a famous bridge that is under restoration. Other homeless people congregate there but these two help each other live their lives with total abandon and expression. Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant have a wonderful chemistry that didn't spark as well as this in Mauvais Sang (another Carax film) - although it was evident. This is a pure love story with no sex or gratuitous affectations. It expresses the type of relationships that transpires in your life when you communicate with the utmost simplicity. There are no lovers games - or faint praises... they just exist, and want each other near. We see the horrible manner in which they subsist and learn about there troubles, ever so slowly. Michèle is an artist who is going blind and Alex is a total survivor. Their smiles when they are together are infectious. We see their adventures as they express joy like young children finding freedom and discovery.  This film is about love - its jealousies, respect and unabashed caring - showing that it is not exclusive to the rich and unblemished.

Gary W. Tooze