I took a French course last fall. During our last class, we played a game in which I was apparently the only person who understood the rules. Therefore, I won. The prize was two tickets to the theater at Alliance Francais. Obviously the point of the game, the tickets and Alliance Francais is French. "Love etc." is a French movie with English subtitles. (I did find it strange the film's title appeared on screen in English as I've written it. What gives?)
I can't remember any of the actors' names. They were French for gosh sakes. I also forgot the character's names. I will substitute French names of my liking. I makes no difference since you won't see the movie anyway.
Nicole is a loser in love. She's having an affair with her married down-stairs neighbor. To turn her life around, she places a personal ad in the hopes of meeting a good man. Jacques, a general, all-around loser, answers her ad with a self depreciating letter and a photo of his best friend, Jean-Paul (which Jacques openly admits is not him). Nicole is intrigued by Jacques' honesty. In the film's best scene, the two meet for the first time over coffee. They are both so nervous and uncomfortable, it is inevitable they will get married.
The movie grows tedious and predictable after the charming first date. Jean-Paul hangs out with the newlyweds and falls in love with Nicole. At first, she has not interest in her husband's best buddy, but eventually changes her mind. I will give Jean-Paul credit for not wanting to have sex with Nicole until she leaves poor, hapless Jacques.
Jacques discovers the truth. There's a hideous revelatory scene at a dinner party. They all make nice-nice and spend an odd New Year's Eve together they had planned well in advance.
Listen to me: Reading the subtitles, I learned "je ne sais pas" means "I don't know." I think that's appropriate.
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