Search - Toute Une Vie (And Now My Love) on DVD

DVD Version Disappointment!

Zakmar | CA, USA | 01/03/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"My absolute all-time favorite film, which I've watched countless times over the last 20 years (taped from a televised version from the Bravo channel). Nothing could surpass the story of the inevitable meeting of the two primary characters of the film. And when they finally do meet - it has been a moment that has always given me the cold chills (in a good way).With that said, this new DVD release is a thorough disappointment. Claude Lelouch, with all his lifetime of experience of film making has inexplicably chosen to restore nearly 20 minutes of footage that was edited out of the version that was generally released on video tape years ago. Thus making this current DVD version an over-bloated affair, ending in a mind-numbing 10 minute "life-in-the-future-unless-we-do-something-about-it-now" sequence. Sure, you can give some allowances that this film was a product of its time (originally released in 1974). But for Lelouch to self-indulgently insert back footage that completely destroys the momentum of what should be that "cold-chill" scene - well, I think I've said enough. Suffice it to say, a good film editor is worth his or her weight in gold.Other "restored" scenes are fairly short, and don't really detract from the film; however the new English subtitles supplied with this release are questionable.So, if you plan to buy this version (since the old video tape version has not been available for years!), make sure you know French, turn the subtitles off, and be ready to hit the fast forward button at the very end of the film."

Romance in a Time Capsule

Virginia Paris | Santa Monica, CA United States | 12/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the opening shot, in black and white with titles, at the turn of the 20th Century, showing a cinematographer shooting with a windup camera on a tripod, (meeting and courting the grandmother of our soon to be female lead, Martha Keller) to the final color image 75 years later, we're enchanted watching through three generations as our two hope-to-God will-be-lovers, are being prepared through history, war, and the process of failing, overcoming, succeeding, and living through those years (1899 to 1975) to eventually, hopefully become the two mature adults who will someday meet, when they will be ready for each other. The filmmaking itself changes to conform with movie making history. When sound quickly follows, it follows in our film; in the forties, we have color, and on and on. One of the joys of rewatching this film is to notice how our peoples' paths cross, unbeknownst to them, throughout the film. You're like a kid, pulling for them to meet. I have seen this film 20 times and it's always brand new. This was Claude LeLouche's movie after "A Man and a Woman" and I'm always surprised most people have never even heard of it. It's a wonderful trip and my favorite film of all time. I was a working actress at the time I first saw it and if I could have, I'd have happily carried cables or props on any Claude LeLouche set. See it, by all means, and pretend you're going to see a 3 star movie so you won't be disappointed -- you know how THAT goes. I'm happy to share it with you. Post Script added after I actually viewed the DVD -- they've included an ending different from anything I've ever seen before, and you know I've seen it 20 times. Suddenly we're in some futuristic Stanley Kubrick/Buck Rogers world which they've apparently extropolated from an earlier scene with a futurist. It's long and tedious, possibly 5 minutes long, before it finally gets back to the ending with which I'm familiar. So, 5 stars with the old ending; only 3 as they're playing it out now. Sorry about that."

A Man and A Woman

Alex Udvary | chicago, il United States | 03/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Claude Lelouch's "And Now My Love" is the story of two people. One who has nothing but wants everything and one who has everything but wants nothing.



Simon, has been in prison twice, one for theft and once for making pornographic films, he then decides to go straight and make conventional films, to great success. Sarah, was born in luxury. After her father's death she has so much money she doesn't know what to do with it. Money or men do not bring her happiness, only problems. In movie terms these people were made for each other.



"And Now My Love" could also be described as the story of the 20th century. It starts off in the early 1900s and we meet Sarah's grandmother and mother. Than the Simon character is introduced. It goes through much of the events of world history including WW1 & WW2, Kennedy's assassination, Vietnam, Marliyn Monroe's death and the Nixon administration.



I could see why some would not like this movie. They may feel "And Now My Love" is too political. Lelouch is injecting his beliefs on us too strongly, too forecefully. This also happened to Jean-Luc Godard's "Tout va Bien". But I disagree up to the point where I'd call both films masterpieces. One of the reasons I like both films so much is because they have ideas and stick to them. They are about something. And that's what the best films do. They have an opinion - there's nothing wrong with that. Whether I agree with people like Lelouch or Godard I find immaterial. You don't have to agree with a film or book 100% to respect what it has to say. Just because some may disagree with the philosophy of Descartes or Hume doesn't mean they are ignorant. Or is Freud stupid because you find Carl Rogers more stimulating? I don't think so. It takes a lot more than that. Say, oh, I don't know, lying about Iraq? (Just kidding)



One of the film's flaws is it goes on too long. The movie is 2 hours and 30 minutes. It could have been 2 hours and still be just as pleasing, charming, intelligent, enetertaining, and emotionally involving.



Claude Lelouch, for those who are unfamiliar was quite the craftsman. Not to imply he's not now. Have you seen "And Now Ladies & Gentlemen"? It's just that he no longer draws much of an audience or conversation. He has though made some great works including "A Man & A Woman", "Les Miserables" and this film.



Bottom-line: One of the most pleasing films I've seen by Claude Lelouch. A movie with lots of ideas and a definitive viewpoint. Should please those with an open mind."

A Film Lovers Feast...

Debrina Woods | PALM BEACH, Florida United States | 02/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Where to begin...it is a story about love at first sight where the principles do not meet until the screen credits are rolling...it goes back three generations to show who and what made these two so perfect for each other...it is a history of the development of film...there are scenes and film techinques used that were the first of their kind at the time...there is just soooo much story here...enjoy and prepare to love this film,it is a film lovers feast. Bravo Claude LeLouche!!!"