Private Fears in Public Places ( Coeurs )

From the beginning of this beautiful film it is clear that director Alain Resnais is a connoisseur of the heart.

Based on Alan Ayckbourn’s play of the same name this refined and mature character piece is imbued with sweetness and an empathy for human frailty.
And the script, served by an amazing cast of regulars in Resnais’ cinema, is replete with subtleties and nuances that are achingly familiar for anyone in search for love.

Dan (Lambert Wilson) and Nicole (Laura Morante) are looking for a new house, but their relationship is breathing its last.
Their estate agent, Thierry (André Dussollier), is secretly attracted to his pious secretary Charlotte (Sabine Azéma).
Gaelle (Isabelle Carré), Thierry’s younger sister, clings onto blind dating; and
worldly-wise waiter Lionel (Pierre Arditi) suggests to Dan that he should leave Nicole.
Meanwhile, he hires Charlotte to take care of his old, obnoxious father who lends Thierry a shocking videocassette.
Dan meets Gaelle; Nicole and Dan continue their house-hunting and the roundabout of these six hearts keeps on turning as the snow – drifting onto coats as a burden and a unifyer – keeps on falling.

In the end Coeurs leaves you craving more, but in a good way.
You feel so sorry for the helplessly lonesome characters that you want to figure out a better ending for every story.
A great achievement from one of the maestros of French cinema. 

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