Review #11: Adore

Adore

Release Date: April 3, 2013
Writer: Anne Fontaine
Director: Anne Fontaine

Logline: A pair of childhood friends and neighbors fall for each other's sons. (Source: IMDb) Drama, 100 min.
Bechdel Test: Passed all three tests.

Review
If this movie was a piece of jewellery, it would be a handmade hemp bracelet you made for your camp bestie who you swore to be pen pals with for as long as you both shall live.

Everyone knows that nothing stresses me out more than lost time between friends.  It’s why I hate the last season of Will & Grace and why I refuse to even talk about The Fox and the Hound.  I was prepared to add Adore to this list but was pleasantly surprised with a story of true and unconditional life long friendship.

The premise of this film is weird - it's basically a dramatic retelling of The Lonely Island's Motherlover. Two middle-aged besties fall in love with each other’s sons.  Totally weird, I know. But the heart of the story isn't these relationships at all, it's the friendship between  Lil (Naomi Watts) and Roz (Robin Wright).

I was certain the film would play out with Lil and Roz getting angry, abandoning each other while also damaging their relationships with their respective sons. What actually happens is total acceptance and a collective resolve to figure the situation out together.

It's so common for our culture to pit women against one another, especially over a man. The fact that Lil and Roz never have any kind of cattiness or competition between them was way more shocking than the older woman/younger guy issue at hand.

Even movies that are about female friendships can portray them in a somewhat negative light - Kristen Wiig hated Rose Byrne in Bridesmaids, CC and Hillz had a huge falling out over a guy in Beaches, and Sandy B thought all those pageant girls were the dumbest people on the planet in Miss Congeniality.  In Adore, there is no condescension or passive aggressive irritation. The women just completely love each other and understand how special their bond is.  It was refreshing and really nice to see.

The Australian setting is absolutely beautiful and the lead actors are all fantastic. With this report making the rounds, Robin Wright and Naomi Watts' performances exemplify the value and importance of writing interesting roles for women even after they hit 35.

What I thought was going to be a hate-watch turned into a pleasant surprise that has kept me thinking since watching it.

Portrayal of Women
Roz is extremely stubborn and sure of herself where Lil is a little more hesitant and insecure, they complement each other perfectly.

Both Roz and Lil are selfish, harsh and even cruel at times. These faults add another dimension to the friendship - the total acceptance despite deception and hurt feelings proves that these besties are the real deal.

Sisterhood Moment
Roz' husband lightheartedly accuses her of caring way too much about Lil for their relationship to be just a friendship.

Fun fact: When our classmates discussed who in the class would most likely end up as a couple, Sarah and I won.

We do run a blog together, so I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious.

Rating: 3/5

IMDb - Adore (6.2)
Wikipedia - Adore 
Rotten Tomatoes - Adore (32%)