It's an interesting concept, and only the thread of Gemma Arterton's character makes it comprehensible ... but that moment does not come until the film is almost three quarters done-and then you want to rewind and start over. Should have been a little easier to figure out, perhaps? Anyway, the acting is the best thing this film has going for it, particularly Adèle Haenel, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Solène Rigot. The men in the film are props for the telling of the feminine narrative(s) overall, and without these three outstanding performances by the women, the film would never work as well as it does. Yes, there's a plot flaw (or six), but whatever-all films have that problem, really. And the Kiki storyline could have used more development, for sure. The ending is not what I would have written myself at all, as it implies a problematic, self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts that somewhat defeats the whole purpose of the narrative device itself. But maybe that's just me. It's beautiful to look at, and the women actors above make it all worth it. You still will be thinking about this film days after you've watched it, and maybe that's the best compliment a filmmaker can hope for in the end.
