Despite its French title, 'Ana, Mon Amour' is set in România. It follows a young couple's love affair from first faltering steps to slow, lingering death several years later.
Ana and Toma meet at university. She has an anxiety attack during their first date (a discussion about Nietzsche) and Toma, sucker for a needy cause, is smitten. For the first several years he is the dominant partner, supporting Ana in coping with her mental issues and rescuing her when she (accidentally?) overdoses. But towards the end of their relationship, with Ana's career taking off as Toma's stalls - leaving him at home looking after the children - the tables are turned and neither is sure if their romance can survive.
The narrative hops back and forth through the years, but is relatively easy to follow (for instance, Toma's hairline provides a clever guide as to how far through the romance a particular scene occurs!) Lead actors Mircea Postelnicu and Diana Cavallioti deliver their lines in a convincingly naturalistic fashion - and while they are not wholly convincing as a couple in love, that may, given the difficulties faced by Ana and Toma, ultimately be the purpose of the film. It is well worth watching - it lasts for over two hours, but does not seem that long at all.
Ana and Toma meet at university. She has an anxiety attack during their first date (a discussion about Nietzsche) and Toma, sucker for a needy cause, is smitten. For the first several years he is the dominant partner, supporting Ana in coping with her mental issues and rescuing her when she (accidentally?) overdoses. But towards the end of their relationship, with Ana's career taking off as Toma's stalls - leaving him at home looking after the children - the tables are turned and neither is sure if their romance can survive.
The narrative hops back and forth through the years, but is relatively easy to follow (for instance, Toma's hairline provides a clever guide as to how far through the romance a particular scene occurs!) Lead actors Mircea Postelnicu and Diana Cavallioti deliver their lines in a convincingly naturalistic fashion - and while they are not wholly convincing as a couple in love, that may, given the difficulties faced by Ana and Toma, ultimately be the purpose of the film. It is well worth watching - it lasts for over two hours, but does not seem that long at all.