Le traité du hasard (1998) User Reviews

Gay Parisian dramatic comedy depicting the "scene" as it is

[GMeleJr · 6/10 · 13 May 1999]

There are so many brilliant Parisian gay dramatic comedies that LE TRAITE DU HASARD is only for the die hard fan of the genre. I should say for a fluent French (actually "hip" Parisian gay slang) speaker. If you are not in that category, stay clear of this film. See the moving NUITS FAUVES (Savage Nights, 1993 Best Picture Cesar, awarded shortly after its writer, director and lead actor actually died of AIDS), the mainstream comedy PEDALE DOUCE which earned Fanny Ardant a Cesar in "98, or this year's Cesar winning CEUX QUI M'AIMENT PRENDRONT..., featuring Jean-Louis Trintignant in a double role, and Vincent Perez as a transgender "female", just to mention three critical and box office hits on similar themes. The video I rented quoted major American critics' quips on its box like "the French BIG CHILL, the French LOVE, VALOUR, COMPASSION:", and more. Yes, maybe, but how many people would have really liked these American movies without their stellar casts or Tony Award pedigree? Well, LE TRAITE...comes out of nowhere, with no recognizable actors, and is far "chattier" than its American counterparts. This film is a bore for a native French speaker interested in the subject matter, for anyone else it would be unbearable unless you're a sub-titler in training. Then you may pick up some tips on how to subtitle the next film with this Parisian slang, but I doubt you will actually enjoy this forgettable film. You've been warned.

Witty, charming, and poignant, however...

[ken-01543 · 10/10 · 24 June 2022]

This film poignantly captures the angst of late 90s Parisian gay life, however, if your French is subpar you will likely not understand the film's nuance. The film provides a glimpse into Paris on the cusp of change: the gay community was mourning the loss of thousands of lives to AIDS, a diagnosis of HIV was still heavily stigmatized, gay relationships were not officially recognized (the Pacs and gay marriage would still take years), Paris had not yet gentrified, gays were not yet normalized, and gay Parisian life was more diverse, less heteronormative. For those equipped with the requisite understanding of French, this film is a pearl. It's a pity the film received a bad review from a reviewer who was unable to keep up with the film's cadence. The dialogue is witty... but you need to keep up. If you need to read subtitles this film is likely not for you.