A Charming Rom-Com: “5 to 7” - A Tale of Love and Cultural Collisions
“5 to 7” is a delightful romantic comedy that manages to be both funny and poignant. It boasts a well-chosen cast, stunning Manhattan scenery, and elegant cinematography.
The story revolves around Brian, an aspiring writer, who has a chance encounter on the streets of New York with a woman he instantly falls in love with. This mysterious woman, Ariel, reciprocates his feelings, but is only available to meet between the hours of 5 PM and 7 PM. Initially, Brian assumes this unusual schedule is due to her busy life. However, he soon discovers that Ariel is married to a French diplomat who is surprisingly open to his wife’s extramarital affairs. In fact, Brian is welcomed into the couple’s home, gets to know Ariel’s children, and receives support from her husband. The only condition is that he respects the established rules and boundaries. But is it possible to stay within these limits when you’re truly in love?
Originally, Diane Kruger was slated to play the lead female role, but scheduling conflicts prevented her from taking on the part of Ariel.
Bridging Cultural Divides
We often discuss how cultural differences, even in our age of globalization, can be so vast that the gap between mentalities seems insurmountable. This is where the saying “East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet” comes from. It’s the essence of Sofia Coppola’s brilliant film “Lost in Translation.” It even underlies popular series like “The Bridge” and “The Tunnel,” which highlight the subtle distinctions between neighboring cultures. From Russia’s perspective, the differences between Western Europe and America may seem negligible. However, the French and Americans are not always on the same page, and their differences can be significant enough to warrant feature-length films.
“5 to 7” marks the feature directorial debut for Victor Levin, known for his work as a producer and writer on series like “Mad Men” and “Devious Maids.”
Love, Culture, and the “5 to 7” Arrangement
“5 to 7” is primarily a film about love – what we do and don’t do to find, maintain, and nurture it. The clash between French and American attitudes toward life, family, and emotions serves as a backdrop, but it’s the essential ingredient that elevates Victor Levin’s film from the ordinary. This elegant, sensual, lighthearted, and far from cliché love story is presented with a sophisticated multicultural flavor, adding a touch of melancholy and nostalgia for one’s own past emotions.
The main characters in “5 to 7” are relatable individuals. He’s a writer struggling to launch his career. She’s a mother and wife living abroad, within the confines of the consulate. He knows little about wine, while she can’t distinguish between dark and light beer. He can’t fathom openly sleeping with two men, while she doesn’t understand why people deny their feelings, seeing nothing wrong with adultery.
The “5 to 7” timeframe mentioned in the title is a commonly accepted period in France when spouses are free to pursue their own interests. Ariel chooses to spend this time with Brian, who is intelligent, endearing, kind, and deeply in love with her. Why shouldn’t these feelings last forever? This question highlights the key difference between the American and the French woman – he wants to be everything to his beloved, while she cannot abandon her family, even for the greatest love of her life.
Had Levin been less inventive, he might have turned the third act into a comedic whirlwind, with supporting characters intervening to reunite the separated lovers in a grand happy ending. However, the film takes a more “realistic” path, which is a significant strength and distinguishes European cinema from American. “5 to 7” benefits from not coddling the audience, not prioritizing comedy over drama, and not manipulating emotions. Instead, it delves into genuinely profound feelings.
This is achieved not only through excellent performances by the lead actors – Anton Yelchin is familiar in the role of a somewhat unlucky and naive young man, but Bérénice Marlohe, as the charming Ariel, is captivating in a fresh way, with her disarming smile and enchanting gaze. The supporting cast is equally impressive: the wonderful pairing of Glenn Close and Frank Langella, the stately Lambert Wilson, and the energetic Olivia Thirlby. A love story can only be truly beautiful when viewed through the eyes of others. Add to the actors’ performances the superb work of the cinematographer (the long shot of the conversation on the park path, or the first-person view during Brian’s first visit to his lover’s house, are particularly noteworthy), and you have an extraordinary visual treat.
“5 to 7” is an almost perfect date movie. It has enough sadness, a moderate amount of humor, and it doesn’t manipulate you. Instead, it makes you think about what you gain or lose when you follow your heart. We all ponder these things at some point, so why not contemplate the great question of “to love or not to love” in the darkness of a movie theater?