Late August, Early September (1999)
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82% of critics liked it
(22 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(785 ratings)
Olivier Assayas directed this French drama, examining several relationships over a year's span, capturing varying textures and shades of feeling between people from late August of one year until early September of the next. Gabriel (Mathieu Amalric) and Jenny (Jeanne Balibar) separate, despite… More Olivier Assayas directed this French drama, examining several relationships over a year's span, capturing varying textures and shades of feeling between people from late August of one year until early September of the next. Gabriel (Mathieu Amalric) and Jenny (Jeanne Balibar) separate, despite the affection that still binds them. A new love develops between Gabriel and young designer Anne (Virginie Ledoyen) as they overcome their fears and uncertainties. At his publishing job, much of Gabriel's emotional energy is spent on his close friend Adrien (Francois Cluzet), a once-promising novelist whose recent writing failed to repeat the critical and commercial success of his early novels. Jenny, who remains friends with Adrien, embarks on a new relationship with Jeremie (Alex Descas). When an old illness reappears, Adrien must come to terms with an early death; he begins an affair with 15-year-old schoolgirl Vera (Mia Hansen-Love). The personal tragedy of Adrien's death impacts on the fabric of friendships, as the individuals in the group reflect on death, life, and the future. Jeanne Balibar's performance won her the "Best Actress" award at the 1998 San Sebastian Film Festival. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 New York Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Olivier Assayas
- Written By
- Olivier Assayas
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jul 9, 1999 Limited
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Assayas's sense of how relationships evolve between people over time is conveyed with a rich and vivid novelistic density.
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Derek Elley, Variety
A kaleidoscopic but engrossing study of the shifting sands of friendship among a group of Parisians.
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, Time Out
It's a bit like a Woody Allen film without the kvetching or the wisecracks, but younger and more vital.
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Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
The cast, including Virginie Ledoyen, François Cluzet, and Mathieu Amalric, is as well coordinated as a fine chamber-music ensemble; their entrances and vanishings and re-entries play like recurring motifs.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The film doesn't leave the audience with a moral. It just leaves a sense of having been in the stimulating company of passionate people.
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Cast
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Mathieu Amalric
as Gabriel Deshays
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Jeanne Balibar
as Jenny
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Virginie Ledoyen
as Anne Rosenwald
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Alex Descas
as Jeremie
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François Cluzet
as Adrien Willer
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Arsinée Khanjian
as Lucie
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Mia Hansen-Løve
as Vera
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Nathalie Richard
as Maryelle
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Eric Elmosnino
as Thomas
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Olivier Cruveiller
as Axel
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Jean-Baptiste Malartre
as Editor
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André Marcon
as Hattou