Film Illiterate, wherein the proprietor records movies seen, and sporadic progress through assorted lists of the "best". Originally started after regretfully renting something forgettable for the third time. I've forgotten what, but never again! A tedious endeavour since 2005. Hello. 🙂
Also known as
De battre mon coeur s'est arrêté
Lists
The previous film from Jacques Audiard (A Prophet) is just about as depressing: a young "real-estate developer" -- much of his job involves forcibly evicting squatters and other undesirable residents so property can be redeveloped -- resurrects his ambition to become a professional pianist. Naturally, these two parts of his life do not coexist easily.
The plot, such as it is, is not terribly interesting. But as a character study it works: Thomas (Romain Duris) is initially an extremely unsympathetic figure, but eventually rises to become someone a little more ambiguous. He has music in his heart as well as violence, and the film explores the difference between what he does and what he is. Ultimately, it's left up in the air: maybe he's just a thug, at heart, after all.
Worth a look.