Laurence Anyways (2012)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  168 Minutes

Rated: 15

Genre: Drama, Romance

Director: Xavier Dolan

Starring: Melvil Poupaud, Emmanuel Schwartz, Suzanne Clément, Nathalie Baye, Monia Chokri

IMDB Rank: 7.6/10

Part 1 Time:  92 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  76 Minutes

Where does the first part end?  The stress of Laurence’s (Melvil Poupaud) transition from male to female has brought her relationship with Fred (Suzanne Clément) to a breaking point. Fred admits she has cheated on Laurence and can no longer support her in her transitional journey.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: The final scene has no dialogue but shows Fred standing in the shower with Beethoven’s 5 symphony playing. The scene prior has Laurence asking for the bill at a restaurant following her breakup with Fred “Check please, miss, check please?”

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Should I talk about the letters I never sent,” Laurence Narrates.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, Laurence has faced major setbacks since beginning her transitional journey, from losing her job to losing relationships with family and now losing her romantic partner.

Which part is better? Part one, shows Laurence’s struggles in the early parts of her transition and the struggles of being accepted. Part two is much more intriguing as Laurence embraces her identity as a woman and attempts to rekindle her past relationships, making one wonder ‘what if?’

Academy Awards: None