What if? It’s the question that troubles restless minds in the middle of the night, filmmakers among them. A small but significant number of features have pondered the related ideas of opportunities missed and lives not lived, across genres including science fiction (Back to the Future Part II), comedy (Groundhog Day) and romantic drama (Sliding Doors). Others have mused on swapping ages (Freaky Friday, Suddenly 30), or reliving youthful heydays (Peggy Sue Got Married, 17 Again). In that vein, French effort Camille Rewinds (Camille redouble) returns its titular character to her adolescence, confronting the past to reshape her future.
On New Year’s Eve, the life of 40 year-old Camille (Noémie Lvovsky, Farewell, My Queen) has reached its lowest point: her husband (Samir Guesmi, The Woman in the Fifth) has left, her acting career is stagnant, and her penchant for whiskey is at dangerous levels – as a reunion with her high school friends painfully illustrates. When she awakens the next day, a new year awaits; however, instead of wallowing in middle-aged misery, Camille is whisked back to the age of 16, with her hopes, dreams and potential all intact.
Cue the expected twists, turns, sight gags and retro stylings, with the influences of the aforementioned similar efforts always obvious. Star, director and co-writer Lvovsky, teaming with fellow scribes Pierre-Olivier Mattei, Maud Ameline (short Seule maman a les yeux bleus) and Florence Seyvos (Faut que ça danse!) is content to relive the highlights of her thematic brethren, borrowing and recycling narrative developments and aesthetic flourishes.
While Camille Rewinds never ventures into new territory, its embrace of the usual is amiable; indeed, in a fantasy centred upon the wisdom that comes from retracing old steps and past deeds, it feels quite fitting. Nostalgia and whimsy may triumph over character development or a wholly accurate recreation of the times (musical anachronisms abound in the Eighties-flavoured soundtrack, with inclusion of The Shins’ 2001 hit ‘New Slang’ among them) yet the feature endears in its warmth and humour, however slight its purported existentialism and light-hearted its attempted philosophical revelations may be.
Directing herself in a showcase role, on screen Lvovsky rightfully garners attention, proving particularly impressive in her younger guise. The evident mismatch of the actress’ appearance with the teen antics depicted provides much of the film’s comedy, with the similarly treated Guesmi also effective. Brief turns by Yolande Moreau (In the House) and Michel Vuillermoz (Midnight in Paris) bring seriousness and added sentimentality, in measured doses. The end result of their efforts may comprise a familiar take on alternate histories and futures, but does so with measured charm and amusement.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Camille Rewinds (Camille redouble)
Director: Noémie Lvovsky
France, 2012, 115 mins
In cinemas: 2 May
Distributor: Umbrella
Rated: M
Watch the trailer for Camille Rewinds here.
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