Grande école (2004)

Paul and Agnes have been going out for quite a while and Agnes is shocked to learn that he'd rather live with two roommates on campus than move in with her. As soon as he meets one of his ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Salis

Writers:

Robert Salis (scenario), Jean-Marie Besset (scenario),

Stars:

Gregori Baquet, Alice Taglioni, Jocelyn Quivrin

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregori Baquet	...	Paul
Alice Taglioni	...	Agnès
Jocelyn Quivrin	...	Louis-Arnault
Élodie Navarre	...	Emeline
Arthur Jugnot	...	Chouquet
Salim Kechiouche	...	Mécir
Eva Darlan	...	Mme Chouquet
Lakshantha Abenayake	...	Le journaliste incarcéré
Yasmine Belmadi	...	Ouvrier flash-back 1
Jacques Collard	...	Un invité
Jo Prestia	...	Le chef de chantier
Jamal Hadir	...	Le frère de Mécir
Gilbert Desveaux	...	Un professeur
Arnaud Binard	...	L'entraîneur de water-polo
Adan Jodorowsky	...	L'étudiant start-up (as Adam Jodorowsky)

Storyline

Paul and Agnes have been going out for quite a while and Agnes is shocked to learn that he'd rather live with two roommates on campus than move in with her. As soon as he meets one of his roommates, Louis-Anault, Paul's behavior changes - he is attracted to Louis without realizing so himself. Agnes, on the other hand, gets quite jealous and offers a bet: Whoever gets to have Louis-Anault first, wins... If she does, Paul will no longer explore his homosexual desires, if he does - she'll walk away. Meanwhile, Paul meets Mecir, a young Arab worker, who shows him there's more to life than elite colleges...

---

Plot Keywords:

roommate | college | nudity | gay interest | school | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

4 February 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Grande École - Sex ist eine Welt für sich

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ognon Pictures, France 2 Cinéma, Eden Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 108 min (PAL DVD)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Una furtiva lagrima"
(extrait de "L'Exlir d'Amour")
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Orchestre symphonique de Florence
Conducted by Bruno Rigacci
© Ricordi e Salabert
(p) 1994 BMG
Avec l'aimable autorisation de BMG France

User Reviews

Mind games without a clear resolution...

Credit the director with getting a cast of unknowns to give very credible performances--an ensemble of attractive young people who have certainly put themselves into these roles. The relationships seem real and all of the main actors acquit themselves well. The story basically follows the lives of five students and a construction worker as they explore truths about each other in a situation ruled by a strong-willed girl who decides to play a game of entrapment when she suspects her boyfriend is sexually interested in his roommate.

But the script is a talky one and goes in all directions trying to steer us into thinking homosexuality is clearly a question of choice or that a simple homoerotic experience for a man can change his whole perspective on life. It's a muddy theory that the author/director are striving to execute on film, but they end up with a story of unrequited passions that goes nowhere in the end.

A scene of sexual fulfillment between two men is artfully presented and tastefully photographed. But there is an artificial air whenever the sexual themes are being explored. The only exception is the shower room scene where the hero tries to hide his interest in the showering athletes.

The picture is actually one long-winded mind game that it plays upon the protagonist (and the audience) and nothing memorable or strong enough happens to give it a high recommendation.

You have to wonder who the target audience is for a film of this type which seems to be sending mixed messages.