Laurence Anyways
Laurence Anyways

Laurence Anyways

2012Movie168 minFrench

The story of an impossible love between a woman named Fred and a transgender woman named Laurence who reveals her inner desire to become her true self.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes79%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users83%
Director: Xavier DolanGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Laurence Alia is a creative and sensitive literature professor who falls deeply in love with Fred Belair, a vibrant journalist. As their relationship blossoms over several years, Laurence grapples with a profound internal desire to transition and live authentically as a woman. This personal journey deeply impacts their shared life, challenging their love, their families, and societal expectations.

Critical Reception

Xavier Dolan's ambitious and visually striking sophomore feature received considerable critical acclaim, particularly for its bold exploration of gender identity and its passionate portrayal of a complex relationship. While some found its length and emotional intensity demanding, many praised Dolan's distinctive directorial style, the powerful performances of the lead actors, and its sensitive handling of a challenging subject matter.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning visual aesthetic and ambitious scope.
  • Recognized for powerful performances, especially from Suzanne Clément.
  • Acknowledged for its sensitive and artistic exploration of transgender identity and love.
  • Some critics found the film's length and emotional intensity to be challenging.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's artistic vision and emotional depth, with many commending the compelling performances and the unique directorial style. Some viewers found the narrative's length and intensity to be a significant commitment.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, and Suzanne Clément won the Un Certain Regard Best Actress award at Cannes.

Fun Fact

The film's distinctive visual style, including its use of slow motion and saturated colors, was a deliberate choice by Xavier Dolan to convey the heightened emotional experience of the characters.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Xavier Dolan pretty much tries to rewrite the gender identity book with this overly long, but quite potent look at the life of "Laurence" (Melvil Poupaud). He is a pretty discontented man who announces to his long term girlfriend "Fred" (Su...
badelf

badelf

It would be wrong to call this "just another TG movie." It's an intense love story, told in a throwback avant-garde style, which is pretty impressive. I enjoyed both the art that was intended to reflect the lives of two artists, as well as ...