Oui, mais... (2001) User Reviews

So useful these days

[aviron-1 · 8/10 · 13 February 2002]

In a world of hatred and violence, "Oui, mais..." is a relief of humor, wit and tenderness. Emilie Dequenne is terrific. Gérard Jugnot pulls it out in a very difficult role. It has a big "food for thought" side but it's also food for your heart. Check it out !

A wonderful film about therapy and relationships!

[euler2718 · 12 April 2002]

A fascinating, wonderfully-acted drama about therapy and relationships. This is the best movie I've seen about any kind of therapy, and I really love it! Emilie Dequenne, one my favorite actresses, is excellent!

I just had a wonderful time watching this film...this is one of my favorite films!

Realistic and Entertaining Psychotherapy in Film

[DrNancyKalish · 10/10 · 24 February 2008]

I love this movie. It is one of the most realistic and ethical depictions of a psychotherapist, and the process of brief therapy, in film; for this reason, it was nominated for an award by the Media Watch Committee of the American Psychological Association. The depictions of the teenagers and their concerns are also realistic, funny, and tender. The film has a beautiful, memorable soundtrack; the photography is equally beautiful. Oui, Mais is a film I show in my Psychological Issues in Film graduate classes, and I look forward to seeing it each time. Anyone who is interested in psychotherapy or adolescents - or anyone who simply wants to see a charming film - should see Oui, Mais.

Oui, mais... Yves Lavandier's masterpiece I'd like to see in Germany

[Eolienne · 10/10 · 20 March 2003]

Although the film has been on the cinema in other countries, we are still waiting for it in Germany. I wonder why, since "Oui, mais..." is such an elegant revelation of the popular psychologic games making our lives a hell... and such a beautiful, light, warm and entertaining homage to what therapy can do.

Particularly when you're an adolescent still having all choices of life to make (partner, profession, lifestyle). It's true, 17-year-old Eglantine has fallen in a cesspool (her mom being depressive and alcoholic, her Dad paying off his love in bills for good marks, her first love having slight difficulties in diffentiating sex from love, and she herself being afraid of leaving the nest). Fortunately for her, Erwann Moenner, therapist, talkative and therefore appearing very human, shows her how she can come out of the s***, have a good shower, understand how she could have fallen in the cesspool and perhaps afterwards, read scholarly books on s***...

I had the privilege to see the film on a francophone TV-channel and was deeply touched. Being able to see it again in a German cinema would be just wonderful.

"Oui, mais..." my favorite French film

[JakiPoo904 · 10/10 · 3 June 2002]

"Oui, mais..." mirrors the emotion of "American Beauty" but at the same is full of laughs. The film is about a teen that sees a psych to analyze her relationships (with her parents and her boyfriend). The film's two youngest actors, Emilie Dequenne (Eglantine) and Cyrille Thouvenin (Sebastien), really pull you into the story and have great on-screen chemistry. I first saw the film at the Virginia Commonwealth University French Film Festival in Richmond, VA and wanted to purchase it. Being able to buy the DVD or VHS of "Oui, mais..." in the US (instead paying a fortune to have it shipped from France) would be wonderful.

A Masterpiece! Bring it to the US!

[koolkat37 · 3 June 2002]

When I entered the title, I couldn't believe that "Oui, Mais..." hadn't received ten stars. I was recently at a French Film festival where I had the privilege of seeing this masterpiece, and I loved it! It shows therapy in a positive light, as less of a last resort, and rather as a way to prevent problems before they start by seeking within yourself for solutions. It reveals many bad habits of blame and self pity we have, and how they we can unintentionally hurt our relations with others. It also carries a positive message of the ability of an individual to take their lives into their own hands and turn it in their favor. Don't get me wrong, "oui, mais.." isn't just about life lessons. It's an enthralling, beautiful film that is also insightful. In today's commercial hollywood, a film this good and this meaningful is a rare find. The protagonist, Egalantine, is a highschool girl who is at a important point in her life. She faces sexual pressure from her boyfriend, responsibility and guilt from her mother (who is in an unhappy marriage), as well as self-induced stress. The movie is about her quest for balance and meaning in her life as she enters adulthood, and Yves Lavandier does an excellent job! By the end, Egalantine has gained self-esteem, has experienced sex as a beautiful, precious experience, and has washed her hands of her mother's personal problems. It was a very satisfying ending, as the audience felt as if they had been tackling the obstacles with Egalantine. I definitely came out of the movie feeling victorious. Overall, an excellent film! Go see it if you are able! And if any American film people are reading this, please consider bringing "oui, mais..." to the american market. I know my friends will love it just as much as I did!

Mais oui

[writers_reign · 8/10 · 15 May 2007]

Despite the international success of Les Choristes Gerard Jugnot remains virtually unknown in England. Of the 92 movies in which he has acted - 16 of which he wrote and 10 of which he directed - only seven have been shown in England and in two of them (Le Juge et l'assassin, Que le fete commence) he was uncredited; in Les Valseuses he had only a 'bit'; Le Clef de la bagnole was full of French actors who appeared only momentarily; Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo wasn't made in France which leaves Tandem and Monsieur Klein. Most of his colleagues from L'equipe du Splendid have similar profiles, i.e. scores of acting credits (well over 100 in the case of Thierry Lhermitte), plus several writing and directing credits also but even so the likes of Michel Blanc (Monsieur Hire), Josiane Balasko(Gazon Maudit) and Christian Clavier (Les Visiteurs) have still to register as even a modest blip on the radar of English movie goers.

This is a great pity as all of them have lots to offer and Jugnot is no exception; Oui, Mais is a fine example of simply Jugnot the actor doing a first-rate job as the psychiatrist who helps Emilie Dequenne come to terms with emerging adulthood and deal with problems on several fronts. In an age where psychiatry, in England at least, prefers to deal with mental illness by treating it with drugs to suppress rather than cure - not unlike bandaging a festering wound but applying no ointment; it won't offend passers by but neither will it heal - it's refreshing to find a film where the value of analysis via one-to-one sessions is appreciated. Both Dequenne and Jugnot are excellent and the film is a real gem which would, I am convinced, if given the chance would be well received in England.

A light and warm comedy on therapy

[clemlb · 9/10 · 9 May 2001]

Never in the cinema have we seen a film that renders therapy so well and so deeply. And it does so with lightness and humor. A real "tour-de-force" which should interest the American market. Emilie Dequenne, Gérard Jugnot, Cyrille Thouvenin and Alix de Konopka are excellent, probably due to Yves Lavandier's talent at directing actors. The script is very well structured and clever. A must see ! Clem

Yes... but! It does certainly make you think!

[PassionMovie · 8/10 · 22 May 2004]

Do you go to cinema to think? So do I! Do you go to cinema to be entertained? So do I!.. Well! Here you can reach both of these aims! This first feature of Yves Lavandier (the most respected theoretician of dramaturgy in France - who, I've heard, has written a book called Dramaturgy now translated into Spanish and English) shows that one can be a good screenwriter and a good director. His movie is both entertaining and deep. It talks about first love, parenthood's dependence, needs to grow up alone, but well accompanied... well. In short, how to become a mature grown up, not being totally f***ed up. Interesting & entertaining. Universal & particular. What do you look for in movies? Me? certainly nothing more than that! A nice moment that lasts more in my mind than the time (one hour and a half) that I have been spending in the theater! :)

great tutorial for people psi games

[[e-mail] · 9/10 · 27 December 2008]

This movie is really great and was suggested to my by a reference in a book. I was amazed by the beginning and way it explains you the story. You have part which are the story that this teenager is living, and part which are the explanation of the psychologist.

You have different games in it : 1) the psi is speaking to you and gives explanations to you about the games played by the person

2) but he also speaks with his client

3) you have also moment where regarding the option you take the same part of the movie is played again.

Really a pedagogic movie and fantastic examples of different concepts of psychology, people games !

An excellent cinematic depiction of interpersonal relationship problems

[grangecam · 9/10 · 11 November 2013]

"Yes, But" ("Oui, Mais") tells the story of a teenage French high school girl who is grappling with multiple psychological dramas simultaneously, and how she learns to find her own way with the help of a psychotherapist. In fact, the therapist plays the part of the "expert" narrator of the film as well as playing one of the main characters, in an unusual dramatic construction which the director Yves Lavandier uses very skillfully. The narrator describes, in documentary style, the variety of games people play against each other in their unhealthy relationships, while showing brief scenes to illustrate the unhealthy and self-destructive nature of these games. The characters portrayed in these scenes turn out to be principle characters in the narrative part of the film, and Director Lavandier weaves the narrative in and out of the documentary and narrative modes of storytelling without breaking the flow and the dramatic momentum. The teenage girl, Eglantine, is a delightful if slightly confused character who is under pressure from her mother and from her boyfriend, and engages in telling half-truths and white lies to cover for both of them, which puts her in some difficult positions. The narrator, who becomes her therapist, guides her skillfully in a way no therapist I have ever met can do. Perhaps France has better psychotherapy practitioners than we do in the US. Clearly, the director of this film understands psychotherapy and human relationships, and has made a film which is both delightful and educational. Truly a joy to watch and learn from.

an excellent overview of the way short therapies help us to reconsider reality

[corentindhoop · 10/10 · 20 September 2014]

The film evokes the short therapies with a lot of realism and truth, even in 140 minutes - what can be considered as a very difficult exercise. There is not, like in many French or American films, "miserabilism" or "sensationalism". The adventure of Laura can be said authentic. I may say I have an excellent knowledge of psycho- analysis (for having been passionate about the theories of Freud and Lacan for many years) and transactional analysis (for having attended training courses, formations and reading books). I would not cut any phrase from this movie.

The film analyzes the structures giving birth to personality, following the pattern of the "triangle dramatique", and "sticking together" thanks to culpability. The parallelism between mother and child is very effective: at the end, the mother happens to begin her analysis by the same denial complex as her own child - "I am not the one that should be cured, but ..."

"Yes, but..." is a very well acted and directed coming of age story.

[vera-89 · 8/10 · 11 November 2013]

"Yes, but..." is a consistently well acted and directed 107-minute dramatic film that tells the story of a teenage girl coming of age with the help of a gentle and sympathetic psychotherapist. 16-year-old high school student, Eglantine, has a budding romance with her handsome classmate, Sebastian. But, she is held back by concerns for her frustrated and alcoholic mother, who is caught in an unhappy marriage with Eglantine's distant and workaholic father. Narrated by the therapist who is also a character in the story, "Yes, but...' deals frankly with teen sexuality and marital difficulty and explains how therapy can help family members confront unhealthy behavior patterns and the games we all play but would be better off without. , "Yes, but..." gives everyone hope that therapy can help them face the truth and get on with life.

Yes Yes Yes !!!

[alboselli · 9/10 · 22 February 2014]

A very successful movie gift the fine construction shows the complexity of emotional states crossed by the heroin, her internal conflicts which express themselves outside, her course towards more knowledge of her even, its psychological mechanisms and conditions which make possible a reconciliation. Also the relation with the therapist, the transfers and against transfers, the therapeutic approaches are exposed in the course of a sensitive, powerful and effective story, underlined by a particular attention on the quality of the image, on the light and carried by the excellent play of the actress and the actors. I liked it !

Good story

[rserbanescu · 8/10 · 31 August 2015]

I first saw this movie 5 years ago, and I recommended It to all my friends who have teenagers. I recommended it at my children's school, and the film is used now once a year by the main teacher, as introduction for the discussions with the 12y class. I saw it once again a few days ago and I am still enchanted by the freshness of Emilie Dequenne,( the main character), by the quite exact play of Gerard Jugnot (the psychiatrist)and once again, I wished I could have seen it when I was young:) The story remains atemporal and universal, and i sincerely recommend it. There are some useless lengths, but almost not noticeable, and the camera follows a good light. Loved it.

Nice diving in human psyche with lightness and humor

[soscvmotivation · 8/10 · 2 October 2015]

This movie is a very nice diving in human psyche. Starting with a love story between two teenagers, it widen its scope to the adults and the roles that we all play. It's a story about love and freedom, trust and sex. It put a lot of emphasis on respect, how not, for the girl, to become a simple mean of satisfaction. The teenagers characters and the psychiatrist are profound. The parents may appear like a cartoon. Maybe it was necessary in order to focus more on the three heroes. I enjoyed very much this movie, light and profound. There is a good rhythm, no endless and windy dialogs like we can find in numerous french movies. The humor is frequent, in light touches.