Ventoux

Originally, it was the intention to make a film script only, but Ventoux became a novel. The novel was released before the movie, more than two years ago now. Apparently it costs that much time to realize a movie. The novel is really a big achievement of Bert Wagendorp, who basically is a (cycling) journalist. It is well written, touching, tensive and if you are raised in the same period, recognizable. Respect!

Four friends in there mid-life want to redo their climb of the Mont Ventoux 30 years later. It is a kind of a memorial climb, but it is also a way to deal with their girlfriend Laura, who disappeared after wards and suddenly returns after 30 years.

Very hard for the movie to do better and it didn't. The story is scrambled in a way that it becomes fuzzy and unclear what are causes and what are consequences. Also if and how these guys are still friends after 30 years, is unclear. And the explanation of Laura in the end is poor and does not reflect the open ending of the novel.

The filming is cool and scenes are cut-off sharp. Despite the beautiful shots of the Ventoux and its surroundings, it does not let you feel the myth of the Ventoux in general nor the specific meaning for the four friends. The acting could do better, especially the old guys. They are almost caricatures. The young guys do much better and I liked the Laura character, both young and old.

Nevertheless, go see the movie if you are not able to read the book. The way friendship, aging, love, and cycling are combined is worthwhile seeing. It is not too serious, nor too flat.

Good story with a lot of potential about friends who live life as young adults and their retrospective 30 years later.

Unfortunately not put into practice due to mediocre directing and acting especially the mutual tensions and passion are not well expressed.

The movie has a lot of loose ends and as a viewer who has not read the book, you are in the dark. Director's choices that detract from the story.

Epic dialogues and moments could have splashed off the screen, but instead it is often weak and as a viewer you miss the feeling of pain and euphoria. Usually due to poor direction, but also mediocre acting from time to time makes a mediocre experience.

Having read the novel and found pleasure in that I was anxious to see how it would unfold as a movie. And yes, whenever you fall for the story as a novel, you often have difficult in accepting the choices that comes when cutting in the material to realise the same story in a matter of 2 hours for the screen. Sometimes it can be a good experience, but unfortunately this is not a succesful realisation.

The casting is one of the more succesful aspects in the adaptation, and the flashbacks basically works rather fine. Less succesful is the plot of the story. The novel deals with existentialism and it's a major theme throughout the novel, where the various characters' perspectives comes in play, but here it's reduced to a simplification that does unjust to the novel and also makes it difficult to stay involved. And then a central episode is uncovered early during the film, whereas it's kept as a nice climax in the novel. The characters are portayed as shallow and flat, and despite an obvious attempt to stay true to the narration of the novel, it works as an amateurish draft for an actual movie. The story is there, so why not utilise the depth of a fine screenplay?! Instead of making a movie about adults, their relationship and the power of essential emotions, this movie comes out as a superficial view on dynamics between innocent teenagers.

Not really recommended.

After riding le Mont Ventoux myself, I couldn't wait to watch this movie as soon as possible. Set in the beautiful landscape of le Provence, you first experience what men like to do most: hanging out with each other, riding on their bikes and drinking alcohol. But behind this simple routine of decadence, there lies a great drama, hidden in time. Old relationships and hatred come together.

The movie overall is not the same as the book, but the slight differences didn't bother me at all. The casting is good, hence the characters are portrayed both young and old by different actors. The nice blend between good actors and the sensation of cycling on the mythical mountain kept me on my seat. Non-cyclists may or may not recognize all quotes and references used in this movie, like 'De Renner' by Tim Krabbé or the methods that are used to clean your bike. There is, however, a lot to enjoy for anyone.