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First, the Recap:
It’s all a matter of perspectives. When it comes to this crazy little thing called love, it is perspective that so often dictates how a relationship unfolds. Whether it’s an age or generational gap, differences in opinions, ideologies, or simply what each individual’s focus is centered on, the factors to manage a solid pairing can be tightly knit or tenuous. For middle-aged NASA engineer Mark (Simon Boisvert), the surface often seems to be the core of his relationships. But, on this particular weekend getaway to his summer home with younger girlfriend of 7 years, Stephanie (Jillian Harris), a rude awakening is about to transpire. Realizing, or figuring, she desires something more fresh and spontaneous, Stephanie calls it quits, leaving Mark to pick up the disappointed, shattered pieces of his ego and heart.
However, a chance run-in with former college flame, Julie (Izabelle Moreau), now a successful businesswoman, rekindles old romantic feelings, and soon, the two find themselves back together and enjoying a whirlwind reunion, recollecting about the past, where they’ve been and where they see the future of this budding new connection going. As the two spend more time together, their love grows, and Julie’s happiness and confidence in them as a couple grows stronger. But, Mark’s old insecurities begin to rear their ugly head as Julie’s business trips involve a former fling, Steve (Bruce Dinsmore), despite him being involved with a new woman himself, Michelle (Diana Lewis). Assured by Julie he has nothing to worry about, Mark finds himself at a crossroads while Julie is away on business, and soon, it becomes apparent that old patterns, like old habits, die hard.
Next, my Mind:
Director Christian Belz Parenteau and writer/producer/actor Boisvert’s 76-minute indie effort delivers an unconventional, yet familiar, dramatic love story which most assuredly covers the ever-changing ebb and flow of human connections and whether we either find ways to adapt or otherwise fall back on damaging habits in our quest to find out exactly what we’re really looking for in love or lust, as the film’s apropos title suggests. Addressing themes of break-ups, questioning commitment, how uncertainty can paralyze us or lead to rash decisions, trusting in deeper love as opposed to just shallow fulfillment, physical attraction vs. emotional stability, to wanting what is best but potentially pursuing it the wrong way, this narrative manages to touch on it all and then some via its character-driven execution. It’s all enacted with simplicity and straightforward, realistic tone and mood, which serves the overall intentions here best.
Boisvert is most adept at infusing his character Mark with just enough ego to make you initially want to take him out back and beat him, yet enough heart where you can see beyond the shallower aspects of his persona to the internal struggle he faces when demonstrating a willingness to commit long term, yet battling seemingly inherent instability and self-doubts when it comes to truly opening his heart to let someone in, while also trying to decide between being in love vs. in lust, and whether he’s doomed to repeat patterns rather than grow out of them. Moreau’s Julie is a picture of perfection, truthfully, presenting her as the beautiful, confident, settled, world-wise, successful woman she’s become, having been through her own rough times, but coming out of them for the better via lessons learned. Her steadfast commitment and intelligent reasoning is the ideal companion for Mark, her purposeful manner with him ideal.
The two actors together have a palpable chemistry that assists in fulfilling the greater narrative’s intention. Solid supporting turns are provided by Harris as Mark’s most recent long-term girlfriend, Dinsmore as Julie’s business co-worker and former fling Steve, Lewis as Steve’s new, rather “out there” beau Michelle, and a quick appearance from Julia Dawi, whose character serves as an indication Mark just won’t change his ways. In total, “Love or Lust” stands as a commendable, nicely produced indie effort that has a lot to say about what could very well be an all-too-real picture of how we view and experience love in this modern age. If anything, it could definitely provide a cautionary tale as to how we so often have something so good, but then manage to let it go, the all too common tale that it is.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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