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Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Stephane Freiss, Geraldine Pailhas, Francoise Fabian, Michel Lonsdale ... see more see more... , Antoine Chappey , Marc Ruchmann , Jason Tavassoli , Jean-Pol Brissart

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 divor... read more read more...ce 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

Flixster Users

69% liked it

5,309 ratings

Critics

65% liked it

68 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: François Ozon

Release Date: June 10, 2004

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DVD Release Date: October 25, 2005

Stats: 339 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (339)

  • gor41
    July 4, 2007
    gor41
    Moving study of a relationship in reverse which highlights the inherent fragility of emotional bonds
  • deano
    September 24, 2006
    deano
    Average French drama-little romance movie at the present backward to the past story of a couple - Marion and Gilles.
  • fb1144932598
    June 18, 2010
    fb1144932598
    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 marri... read moreage. 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.
  • gator681
    July 19, 2006
    gator681
    [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. Afterward... read mores, 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]
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  • lesleyanorton
    April 15, 2010
    lesleyanorton
    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 f... read morerom the tiny seed of discontent. It would have been better if the lead male hadn't been such a git though.
  • littlecharmer1959
    January 14, 2009
    littlecharmer1959
    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 fantasti... read morec performances (especially Valeria Bruni Tedeschi).
  • SunilJawahir
    May 6, 2008
    SunilJawahir
    Kind of cool to watch but if it wasn't told backwards it would be pretty dull.
  • jjb3332003
    March 8, 2009
    jjb3332003
    Francois Ozon tries his hand at reverse chronology and does an excellent job of capturing the subtle nuances of human behavior and emotion. An outstanding cast and wonderful soundtrack complete the picture.
  • sleepykiss
    December 8, 2008
    sleepykiss
    Wonderful, a failed marriage told in reversal. Relationships r a lot more then just attraction & sex & plans. Its that indescribable spark that keeps relationships alive. Ive only found that spark once.

View All 5x2 (5 x 2: Five Times Two) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Steve Murray
August 18, 2005
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A cool, sometimes chilly dissection of one couple's relationship. Full Review

Ty Burr
July 29, 2005
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. Full Review

Rex Reed
July 28, 2005
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 ...

Michael Wilmington
July 7, 2005
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. Full Review

Steven Rea
July 7, 2005
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
July 1, 2005
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

It's fascinating, like watching the collapse of a building in reverse. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
July 1, 2005
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

The film is Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage without the boring parts -- wait, I'm not supposed to say that. Full Review

Peter Howell
June 24, 2005
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

The inevitability of the conceit could wear on us, were it not for the lived-in performances of the cast, most important Bruni-Tedeschi and Freiss. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 24, 2005
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

You can get an idea of the two seemingly contradictory truths about this movie: It's not much fun, and it's impossible to stop watching. Full Review

Rick Groen
June 24, 2005
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

We never get to know the twosome, and the intense curiosity generated by the opening scene starts to wane severely. Full Review

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