Just the Two of Us movie storyline. When Blanche meets Grégoire, she thinks she has found the one. The ties that bind them grow quickly, and a passionate affair ensues. Together, they relocate. For Blanche, far from her family, from her twin sister, Rose, a new life begins. But little by little she finds herself caught in the grip of a deeply possessive and dangerous man.
Just the Two of Us (French: L’Amour et les Forêts, lit. ’Love and the Forests’) is a 2023 French psychological drama[3][4] film directed by Valérie Donzelli, from a screenplay written by Donzelli and Audrey Diwan. It is based on Éric Reinhardt’s 2014 novel L’Amour et les Forêts.
It had its world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 24 May 2023, being theatrically released in France on the same day by Diaphana Distribution. It received four nominations at the 49th César Awards.
The film was selected to be screened in the Cannes Premiere section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on 24 May 2023. On the same day, the film was theatrically released in France by Diaphana Distribution. International sales are handled by Goodfellas. Just the Two of Us grossed $5.0 million in France, and $102,244 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $5.1 million.
In France, the film opened alongside The Little Mermaid, The King of Algiers, Knights of the Zodiac and Lost & Found. The film sold 30,220 admissions on its first day, finishing 2nd at the box office, behind The Little Mermaid. It went on to sell 158,333 admissions in its opening weekend, finishing 4th at the box office, behind The Little Mermaid, Fast X and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. At the end of its theatrical run, the film sold a total of 651,546 admissions.
Éric Reinhard Comments
When Valérie Donzelli and Audrey Diwan asked me if I wanted to be involved in the writing of the script, I told them I’d rather not – and added that they could do whatever they liked and should feel totally free. The most important thing to me was that my book be adapted into a great film. I was aware that to achieve this, Valérie should be able to take full ownership of the book to bring it into her world – to translate it cinematically. I trusted her.
Not only is Just the Two of Us a heartrending tale bearing Donzelli’s distinctive style and signature, but it is a politically committed film. This was very important to us. Ever since my novel was published in 2014, I’ve been getting a lot of messages from female readers telling me that they identified with the heroine’s story, and that they had realized that if they didn’t leave their marital home, they’d end up dead, just like her. They wrote to me that my book had saved them.
The main challenge in adapting the novel was that the film should have the same impact on female audiences. You needed a hard-hitting film where, once the lights went back on, women would choose to escape their controlling, abusive husbands and take action. Valérie and Audrey have outlined a shining path that I believe many women will walk. To reach this goal, the characters had to be portrayed with nuance and intensity.
Virginie Efira’s and Melvil Poupaud’s total commitment is truly admirable. I must also say that the film wouldn’t be so compelling without the truthful performances, in supporting, yet crucial, parts, of Dominique Reymond, Bertrand Belin, Marie Rivière, Virginie Ledoyen and Romane Bohringer, who moved me deeply. Valérie Donzelli was kind enough to have me on the set several times. It will remain an experience just as unnerving as it was memorable.
Just the Two of Us (2023)
Directed by: Valérie Donzelli
Starring: Virginie Efira, Melvil Poupaud, Dominique Reymond, Romane Bohringer, Virginie Ledoyen, Marie Rivière, Guang Huo, Laurence Côte, Bertrand Belin, Nathalie Richard, Laurence Côte
Screenplay by: Audrey Diwan, Valérie Donzelli, Éric Reinhardt
Production Design by: Gaëlle Usandivaras
Cinematography by: Laurent Tangy
Film Editing by: Pauline Gaillardt
Makeup Department: Amélie Bouilly, Violeta Cuadra, Fanny Fallourd, Mathieu Gueracague
Music by: Gabriel Yared
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Music Box Films
Release Date: May 24, 2023 (Cannes and France)
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