Lucy Bonette Firstly, I watched this film online, so I watched in two parts. I have no patience to watch films longer than 90 minutes in one go, regardless of the quality. I really like the film and the characters, there is not much story, but to me this is just about watching a group of friends interact. There may not be much background to how they act, but that is how things are with friends that you have known for years. Some have mentioned this was all a bit too French, with various clichés throughout. But having spent a summer with French friends in a similar house at the Bordeaux coast, I must say, this is just what it's really like in France. From clothing, to food to kissing everybody all the time. This is real people. Or at least in the social circle I was in.All in all, i really liked it. But maybe I was just being nostalgic.

dudemark I literally had no idea what I was watching when I turned this on, having selected it on the sole fact that it had Marion Cotillard. two and a half hours later, I cannot believe how wonderful this movie was. The acting was so completely and entirely natural. Any one of the characters could have been someone that I know, and many of them reminded me of people that I know well. The dynamic, which is sometimes trying and stressful, between the various combinations of friends is so perfectly captured, I am blown away. This is a story about friendship and trials, and its true the one sentence synopsis of the story would probably sound quite boring, but this movie was far from it. Two and a half hours blew by without me even noticing. There were some truly funny scenes - the guy cursing at the rice - and the ending had me crying for about 10 minutes straight (though this could be because of Cotillard, I can't hardly see her cry without crying myself). I know this review probably seems scatter-brained. I just really want to tip my hat to the amazing actors, screenwriters, and director who made this.

aharmas French movies tend to be deeper than American films. There is an unwritten law that we get to know the characters much better, and it is almost guaranteed the acting is going to be usually very good. "Lies" has some of the most recognizable faces in contemporary French cinema, and it promises to be an insightful look at friendship, I suppose from the French point of view. It is about friendship and communication, and it does manage to cross cultural barriers because in the end, we're pretty much alike.The premise behind the story has been explored before, but as I mentioned before, we are going to see some sophisticated approaches here, and in one of its shortcomings, the film does run a little long. It could have benefited from a few trims, or in a wiser move, maybe some more background about who these people really are. We know they spend long stretches of time together, and they seem to enjoy the company of each other, though I was wondering how they put up with Max, a man who stands out for being distant, a little arrogant, and not too warm or as down too earth as the rest of the group. He's somehow central to the storyline, and it would have been good to know more about what he means to the rest, beside excellent beach house accommodations.As usual, Marion Cotillard shines in her role as the woman who is not as simple as it appears. She carries emotional baggage (unexplained of course), but it is her facial expressions, her longing, her sad looks, which reveal her unhappiness. Maybe she tries too hard, or not hard enough. It's time to make a choice and decide what could work.Vincent (Benoit Magimel) is quiet but intense, carrying a secret about himself for too long, and it is perfect timing from the director that allows him to stand out. Maybe it is the fact that he says little, and when he speaks, he says only what matters. It is an interesting performance.There is a big question at the end of the film, and it is the incomprehensible decision about the vacation itself. There is a big event at the beginning of the film, and I didn't understand why the trip was taking place so soon. This is supposed to deliver a punch in the final scenes. Maybe it is does reveal what we don't want to know. I had questions about this type of human interaction before and wondered why sometimes the obvious takes so long to happen, if it ever. In most cases regret is usually the end result.

pottypat-406-988909 I really enjoyed this movie. I liked the way it was filmed and directed. A good story, the script was tight, the actors very good and I engaged well in their characters. None of them were particularly likable either. I loved the sound track too, some great tunes. A shock for me was the ending, last 10 minutes. It appeared tacked on, as if the producer's wife said to him if you don't stick this on, no more amour for you Cherie. To me it almost ruined the movie, so turn it off about 10 minutes from the end, you'll know when. It would have got 10 stars from me but for that. But having said that if you're into Hollywood style huggy, tears and let it all out crap in slow mo with a wincingly appropriate tune, let it roll.