JACQUES NOLOT

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB

Original title:  Avant Que J’Oublie

France, 2007.  Elia Films, Centre National de la Cinématographie, Procirep, Angoa-Agicoa.  Screenplay by Jacques Nolot.  Cinematography by Josee Deshaies.  Produced by Pauline Duhault.  Production Design by Gaelle Guitard.  Costume Design by Sophie Lifshitz, Eleanor O’Byrne.  Film Editing by Sophie Reine.  

An aging Parisian gigolo loses his older lover and is now forced to find meaning in his life, struggling with loneliness, the advancement of his years and the reality of his HIV positive status. He visits friends in a similar situation and they talk about sex and former conquests, engage in lots of naughty, grimy activity, yet for all such scintillating description this film by Jacques Nolot is incredibly listless.

None of the characters are particularly interesting, and while it gets points for a believable, lifelike pace and feel, it gets no points for its lack of command. The main character’s journey is too obscure to follow and never yields anything particularly memorable. The rest of the time it’s pretty boring, though I would like to know more about this delivery service in Paris whose employees provide you with groceries AND oral pleasure.

Toronto International Film Festival:  2007