Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train (1998)

Hard to avoid the Wellesian overtones here which begins with a death and goes on to explore the impact of the dead man not so much on the upper-case World as in Kane but on his own lower-case world as a fairly respectable number of those whose lives he touched travel to and assemble at his childhood home in Limoges. Amazingly one of the comments I've just read suggested that next time around the director employ a scriptwriter. This comment displays an ignorance verging on the colossal given that Daniele Thompson, who co-wrote the script from her own Original idea, is one of the outstanding screenwriters in French cinema having started with a classic 'Le Grand Vadrouille' at the age of 24 and progressing through such well-received titles as Le Follies de Grandeur, La Reine Margot until she began - with La Buche - to direct her own screenplays. Be that as it may the script is right up there with the best as are the performances not least the ever luminescent Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi whose performance alone is reason enough to see this. Okay, there are strong elements of homosexuality because it's inevitable that homosexuals are very much a presence in the modern world. As a heterosexual I wouldn't have a great deal if any at all interest in out-and-out homosexual films, literature or plays but neither did the homosexual content here bother/disturb me because it was shown in context within a highly complex, swiss-movement be-jewelled story. One that bears repeated viewings.

If you like dense, complex character studies, this is one for you. Patrice Chéreau is not interested in pat solutions, 'pop-corn' plots, spoon-fed comedy or 'star' vehicles.A gaggle of friends and relations pile onto a train from Paris to Limoges, enroute to a funeral. The deceased has had an impact on each character, and as they bicker, laugh, grieve and confide in each other, a picture of the dead man is fleshed out.Chéreau has cast this work superbly, creating a hyper-realistic ensemble. He allows his cast to create an almost improvised quality, dialogue crossing over dialogue, with each performer whether major and minor bringing utter conviction and truth to their role. At no time to you feel manipulated to either love or loathe any of the characters.The conclusion is perhaps a little lacking, but that's only because I didn't really want to leave the throng.Don't expect Hollywood-style comedy, drama or action. Instead, settle down and relish the thoughtful and intelligent craft of this French genius!

With the exception of Wim Wenders first ever movie (which I forget the title of), this is the most boring film I have ever seen in my life. There is no real plot other than that a group of characters, most ex lovers of the deceased, travel to attend a funeral. The interaction between the characters is so banal as to make even TV soap operas look professional. The only thing that stopped me walking out was my assumption that something was actually going to happen eventually. Ok, big spoiler coming up: nothing happens!The portrayal of the transgender Vivienne was generally weak and reaks of a feeble misguided attempt to educate the audience, at the same time making the character seem particularly self obsessed.

A movie that was badly promoted and that confirms, however, the recovery of French cinema. The characters in Ceux qui m'aiment... could be any of us, the plot is as real as our daily train rides. The best of us and the worst of us exposed in a particular situation. Love, hate, anger, our darkest side. A knowledge of French is, unluckily, indispensable to enjoy this movie, the power of certain dialogues cannot be translated. And yet, this movie will disrupt your quiet life for a few weeks, its power remains in its realism. A funeral, a bunch of family and friends and a great cast. Don't miss it.P.S. The music is superb.