Overview
On paper French film Rust and Bone sounds highly implausible; an orca trainer falls in love with a drifter who was once a competitive boxer. But in the hands of director Jacques Audiard (The Prophet and The Beat My Heart Skipped) the narrative conveys a sense of physicality and passion that most love stories only aspire to achieve.
The film is based on two separate short stories by Canadian author Craig Davidson which Audiard has expertly melded together. In the film Ali, played by newcomer Matthias Schoenaerts, arrives hungry and homeless in Antibes, in the South of France. Tagging along is his son, a boy he barely knows. They take refuge with his estranged sister Anna (Corinne Masiero). He's working his first shift as a bouncer at the hip club in town when he meets Stephanie, played by veteran actress Marion Cotillard.
Stephanie is smart and sexy and she knows it. She treats Ali as she does her other male friends, with disdain. But despite appearances, this is not your usual love story. A freak accident occurs which changes everything. She has to give up her job at the marine park where she trains orcas. She falls into a deep sense of hopelessness and the only thing that dulls the pain is spending time with Ali.
What you see with Ali is what you get, he is brutely honest about everything, including sex. Strangely, this is just what Stephanie needs and their relationship gives her back her confidence. The benefits of their relationship for self-absorbed Ali only reveal themselves later when he learns to show humility.
The open-endness of the narrative and the fantastic performances by both characters make this an utterly mesmerising film. It's great to see such a strong female character, although it's disappointing that in the final moments Stephanie takes a backseat in order for the viewer to focus on Ali's journey. Nevertheless, this gritty yet beautiful story packs a powerful punch. Without a doubt, this will be one of my favourite films of the year.