5x2 (5 x 2: Five Times Two) (2004)

65% of critics liked it
(68 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(5,271 ratings)

The rise and fall of one couple's marriage goes under the microscope in this drama from French filmmaker François Ozon. Gilles (Stephane Freis) and Marion (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) have filed for divorce following several years of marriage, and after the judge declares their union is over, the film… More The rise and fall of one couple's marriage goes under the microscope in this drama from French filmmaker François Ozon. Gilles (Stephane Freis) and Marion (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) have filed for divorce following several years of marriage, and after the judge declares their union is over, the film follows the couple through five lengthy flashbacks, presented in reverse chronological order, in which glimpses of their lives together are shown, ending with the couple meeting for the first time. As the film follows the peaks and valleys of Gilles and Marion's relationship, viewers witness a few of the many small events that make up a marriage. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: François Ozon
Written By: Emmanuelle Bernheim, François Ozon
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jun 10, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Oct 25, 2005
Studio: ThinkFilm

Critic Reviews

Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A cool, sometimes chilly dissection of one couple's relationship.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Gilles and Marion may be more than the sum of their regrets, but because their creator hasn't done the math, they remain touching stick figures.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
Stripping away the extraneous details that etch great screen characters in our minds forever, Mr. Ozon pinpoints key moments in the life of a pair of married Parisians that leave the viewer paralyzed with boredom and confusion.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Unwinds with absolute clarity and sure style, and Freiss and Bruni-Tedeschi make an interesting couple, if not a truly memorable one.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Neither Marion, with her melancholy stares, nor Gilles, with his detachment and his cigarettes, appears more than a character sketch.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
It's fascinating, like watching the collapse of a building in reverse.
David Noh, Film Journal International
The acting of both leads is good, at times more than that, but you feel that you've already seen every scene they're in, in countless other movies.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It ends where the story begins at an Italian seaside resort as the couple happily swim off together into the sunset at their first encounter.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Deconstructing the breakup of a romance in reverse chronological order is no longer original; Pinter has done it in "Betrayal."
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
Ozon has a studied, contemplative style at work here.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Peeling off the emotional layers one by one, François Ozon's 5 X 2 reveals intimate snapshots of a relationship, simply but searingly.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
(...) Es de esas películas que vale quizá más por las reflexiones y debates que dispara entre las personas que como pieza cinematográfica en sí misma.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
The soulful Bruni-Tedeschi gives the impression that her beautiful face is bruised, even though it is blemish free; it's one of the best performances of the year.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Even while we're flipping through the snapshots of two people's ultimate disenchantment with each other, it never feels tawdry or excessive or, for that matter, very interesting.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
We watch Marion and Gilles with a sort of clinical detachment, and it's difficult to really care.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Doesn't feel like a gimmick at all. It feels like a natural introduction to the characters.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Bruni-Tedeschi and Freiss give solid performances, though, and their physical transformations over time (a slight weight gain for her, facial hair for him) are convincing.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
The reverse-chronology gimmick ends up only serving up a trite observation that lies and mistrust are a poor foundation for a marriage.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi's character is the one to watch throughout the film, as it is in her demeanor that we learn all the answers -- or all the questions, anyway.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Gordon A

Moving study of a relationship in reverse which highlights the inherent fragility of emotional bonds
Dean M

Average French drama-little romance movie at the present backward to the past story of a couple - Marion and Gilles.
Mark A

A difficult film made more so by these completely self-absorbed, unlikeable characters. When first we see Marion (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) and Gilles (Stephane Freiss), they are in a judgeâ€™s chambers as he reads the divorce decree that will terminate their short, mercurial marriage.… More
A difficult film made more so by these completely self-absorbed, unlikeable characters. When first we see Marion (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) and Gilles (Stephane Freiss), they are in a judgeâ€™s chambers as he reads the divorce decree that will terminate their short, mercurial marriage. In a series of scenes that march time backwards, we see the seeds of this breakup as they are sown, but not until the final scene, which is first in the sequence of events, do we realize how doomed this relationship was from the beginning. The methodology employed is certainly interesting and keeps one going, looking for the point at which hope was still alive, but the desolate answer is not the one we had wished for. The scenery, in some of the earlier (story-wise) locales, was quite lovely and the viewer is treated to some wonderful cinematography. The film certainly benefited from strong direction from Francois Ozon. But one ultimately wishes that these people were more sympathetic so that one could sense the tragedy more honestly. Not a lot of fun, and a whole lot of bad choices.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"5 X 2" starts out with Marion(Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) and Gilles(Stephane Freiss) formalizing their divorce to each other. After the hearing, they retire to a hotel room for post-divorce sex, but when Marion has second thoughts, Gilles rapes her.… More
[font=Century Gothic]"5 X 2" starts out with Marion(Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) and Gilles(Stephane Freiss) formalizing their divorce to each other. After the hearing, they retire to a hotel room for post-divorce sex, but when Marion has second thoughts, Gilles rapes her. Afterwards, they come to an understanding to the visitation rights of their son. Before she leaves, Gilles asks if they can still make a go of it...without saying anything, Marion exits and proceeds to the elevator.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Then, the movie flashes back two years to presumably happier times as Marion and Gilles are preparing to host a dinner party. Three more segments follow, each two years previously in the past and each at a pivotal point in their relationship.(On the surface, "5 X 2", has a similar structure to "Betrayal"(1983) but the previous film only concerned itself with an affair and if memory serves me correctly, was quite dull.)[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Written and directed by Francois Ozon, "5 X 2" is a very intelligent and thought- provoking movie that posits marriage more as a legal construct than as anything romantic. Basically, it argues that it is okay to be alone.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]What I think is also very interesting about this movie is the role parents play in shaping the lives of their children. For example, Marion's parents are always arguing but stay together. Did this shape her attitudes towards relationships? Conversely, I am wondering if it is imporant that we never get a good look at Gilles' parents and that this might be symbolic of a very distant relationship.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font]
Lesley N

Reverse chronology is the perfect vehice for showing a relationship, by taking us backwards from divorce papers via childbirth though to wedding and then that first meeting is a perfect, you can see where it all goes wrong, and how the mighty oak of relationship breakdown grows from… More
Reverse chronology is the perfect vehice for showing a relationship, by taking us backwards from divorce papers via childbirth though to wedding and then that first meeting is a perfect, you can see where it all goes wrong, and how the mighty oak of relationship breakdown grows from the tiny seed of discontent. It would have been better if the lead male hadn't been such a git though.
Emily B

My new favourite Ozon film. The story told in reverse is very effective and not gimmicky. There are some very beautiful and touching scenes, such as the ending walking off into the sunset and the dinner party dance scene with the Paolo Conte song. Overall great film with fantastic… More
My new favourite Ozon film. The story told in reverse is very effective and not gimmicky. There are some very beautiful and touching scenes, such as the ending walking off into the sunset and the dinner party dance scene with the Paolo Conte song. Overall great film with fantastic performances (especially Valeria Bruni Tedeschi).
Sunil J

Kind of cool to watch but if it wasn't told backwards it would be pretty dull.