5 to 7 (2014)

I began this movie, knowing little of what awaited me. Many movies you watch in life are movies that just fleet by, without having an impact on your view of life, of love, of what's important to you. This movie was and remains different. It is a movie that will challenge your idea of life and of love foremost. If you are prepared for this, then I strongly advice you to watch this movie. It was gripping without its like. I have never been this moved by a movie, and it will probably take a long time for me to find a movie of its like. 10/10

The writing, acting, dialogue and cinematography of 5 to 7 are all nearly perfect. There isn't really anything negative to point out, however there is definitely one thing that makes this story come alive...Anton Yelchin.This film is about a struggling writer, who meets and has an affair with a woman married to a French diplomat. They meet from 5pm-7pm, the time after work, but before returning home for the evening. It's a French thing...This is not another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, but a genuine story of love and morality. Much of the film shows the inner conflict of a man torn between his feelings for a woman and his own moral and ethical convictions. It's definitely worth a watch.I would highly recommend ANY movie that Anton Yelchin is in. He was not only a great actor, but he really breathed life into every film he worked on. If you have not seen his films, you should definitely try them. Not all are serious (Fright Night), but all are entertaining and manage to draw you in (Charlie Bartlett).

Initial ThoughtsWhen you combine the talents of Olivia Thirlby, Anton Yelchin, as well as Glenn Close and Frank Langella, it is hard to not feel a bit reassured that the film should be decent. Especially since Yelchin is the star and we learn he plays a young aspiring writer who gets involved in an affair. Now, tell me your interest isn't just a little bit piqued.Characters & StoryA 24-year-old man named Charlie (Anton Yelchin) lives alone in the city, and seemingly doesn't do anything but write stories and collect rejections letters. That is until meeting Arielle (Bérénice Marlohe). Someone is of the age 33, married, with two children, and a former model. The two hit it off well, with Charlie using his French lessons to impress her a tad, and it comes to a point where romance becomes an option. However, with Arielle married, there comes a moral issue for Charlie. However, be it love or lust, something pushes him to not care – especially since Arielle's husband, Valery (Lambert Wilson) is having an affair of his own.So establishes the 5 to 7 meeting time between Charlie and Arielle, of which Charlie's mother, Arlene (Glenn Close), doesn't mind, but his father, Sam (Frank Langella), is vehemently against. But considering the many benefits of the relationship, like meeting his future editor Jane (Olivia Thirlby), it is hard for Charlie not to fall in love with the circumstances, as well as Arielle. Making it where when he decides he doesn't want to simply be Arielle's love, so comes the question of what Arielle may do?PraiseWhile I in no way am praising the adultery, I must admit that watching Charlie and Arielle together made me sometimes forget that Arielle was married. For the chemistry between Yelchin and Marlohe is the type which makes you sigh and wish you could have something as passionate, on better terms of course. Though perhaps what I liked the most about those two is that they seemed on equal footing. Charlie was undoubtedly the lead, yet Arielle had enough of a life of her own in which it didn't seem she was simply your usual love interest who builds her leading man up. Plus, I liked the fact that their romance didn't hit that usual conflict of him doing something terrible, or her doing something terrible, and them getting back together despite it. He couldn't take being just her lover, and she might not have been fully sure if she could support herself, and her kids, while living with an up and coming writer - making for a rather complex dynamic in the grand scheme of things. Since, ultimately, the question was: Will the romantic French woman leave the stability of her husband for the vivaciousness which comes from being with this young writer?CriticismPerhaps the only issue which can be found deal with wanting more from Arielle. For while she does provide her own backstory, and we get to meet her children, I feel there is a certain amount of mystery left which can either be seen as alluring or frustrating.Overall: Worth SeeingDespite probably underselling this film, it is highly likable. Would I say it is the best of 2015? No. Do I regret taking so long to watch this? A little. But, overall what made me like this film was it approached the situation with love and humor, and seemed like that is how they wanted the film to be in general. They wanted two people, who at different times in their lives could have been perfect, to be with one another, enjoy one another, and then have it come to a point where it could no longer simply be a friendly romance, but it had to be serious. Leading to the issues of could Arielle really marry for love over stability, could Charlie win her over despite hardly having much to offer but his heart, and would they truly end up happy if they both got what they wanted? These questions, and the way Victor Levin wrote the script, are what pushes this to being a Worth Seeing film. One which I definitely recommend.

Apparently, a movie, even without being non-fiction, it can make the life of the protagonist perfect in all sense. Anton Yelchin, who was amazing in Alpha Dog, now seems to not have a clue about acting. He overreacts in all corners, and unfortunately, for me, it stressed me the hell out. I would love to meet someday, a group of people, so balanced, ego-free, and totally sane, that they can have a complete and fulfilling life, even when they know they both have a side partner. I always try to identify the good aspects of the movie, the bright side if you will. I totally couldn't with this one. A paper thin plot, a pseudo smart narrative, and perfect nonsense circumstances for the main character. The only thing I learned about this movie is to make better choices when I get to go to the theater.