Coming of age stories can be rife with dangers. Leave it to the French to know how to take this subject matter and poignantly being it to the big screen. Hot in more than one way is Young & Beautiful, a blistering tale of lust from Sony Pictures Classics. Mongrel Media delivers the goods in this eye-opening treat of view at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas.
Lush scenery comes in many forms. From the very beginning it’s hard to determine which is more beautiful – the breathtaking French seaside or a sun bathing girl. Quite the impression is made by teenaged Isabelle. Still at school actress Marine Vacht will reel you in as the adventurous lass wanting to discover her sexuality. Fantasies become reality at the ripe old age of seventeen as the girl embarks on a sexual odyssey that. Rings new meaning to the term promiscuous.
Poor mom Sylvie is at a loss to what her daughter’s extra-curricular activities entail. Grown up Geraldine Pailhas has lots of issues to deal with when her daughter’s double life comes to light. Suffice it to say that Isabelle is quite the modern girl with a string of gentleman friends that would put The Happy Hooker’s playbook to shame, Director writer Francois Ozon succeeds in painting a portrait of a family on edge and the legions of lonely men willing to part with their hard-earned Euros for a casual fling.
Full of surprises and highly sensual this French movie with English subtitles is a sight to behold. Lushly filmed with excellent performances all around you will get caught up in the messed up world of this girl for 95 mind-blowing Minutes Consider this film to be a break-out role for Marine Vacth whose acting skills are highly effective and engaging.
By Alan Samuel
