It’s the story of a couple, starting with their divorce. Ozon takes us back and carefully explains what psychological abuse lead up to their separation.
Despite its common topic, I find this film incredibly intense. She is innocent and full of love and expectations and unfortunately naive enough to fall prey to this cruel, perverse man. He humiliates her in front of friends, does not care for her, leaves her alone when she gives birth and is overall a terribly abusive character. There is no judgment from Ozon’s side, the cold and objective portrayal is harsh enough and we feel that this sad reality this once so happy girl is now faced with, is unbearably hard. What is left is not just a broken heart but sadly, a broken woman, robbed of her love and dreams. We can only hope she doesn’t become too bitter. A particularly bleak film for Ozon. Highly recommend.
5×2, Francois Ozon, 2004
