SBS Productions
4/5 stars
The romantic view of love is that it is a completely selfless, giving endeavor that enriches the lives of people and humanity as a whole. A more cynical view of love is that it is an extremely selfish thing, detrimental to the happiness of others and, in the worst cases, destroying lives for the sake of self-interest. I think it won’t take viewers long to figure out what kind of love is in Ira Sachs’ new film. Transitions (which will appear on streaming site Mubi this month).
The film’s protagonist’s selfishness and disregard for others can often be frustrating, but Sachs uses this flawed humanity to make some intriguing points about the nature of sexuality and romantic love.
Thomas (Franz Rogowski) is a successful film director who has just completed his latest project. During the closing party, he meets a charming schoolteacher named Agatha (Adele Exarchopoulos). The meeting soon leads to a passionate affair, naturally destroying his marriage to her husband Martin (Ben Whishaw). As Thomas’s obsession with Agatha turns into love, he must confront his increasingly conflicted feelings for Martin. Is Thomas in love with both of them or just with himself?
Throughout the film, the main character makes terrible, irrational decisions, but Sachs never truly judges him. In fact, the film’s greatest strength is its deep empathy for all the characters involved. This empathy raises questions about sexual fluidity and the often confusing nature of love. brought to the fore. He creates a fascinating love triangle that is simultaneously sexy and ugly. warm-hearted, irresponsible and inherently Human. Transitions currently playing in favorites cinemas and arrives in Mubi on October 6th.
Directed by Ira Sachs // Screenplay by Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias // Starring Franz Rogowski, Ben Whishaw, Adele Exarchopoulos, Erwan Kepoa Fale, Theo Cholbi, Arkady Radeff, Léa Boubille, Caroline Chagnollo and Olivier Rabourdin // SBS Productions // 92 minutes // Rating NC-17