Australian Premiere

HEAT WAVE (LES GRANDES CHALEURS)

Fri 12th August | 6pm drinks, 6:30pm film | Dendy Opera Quays

Dir: Sophie Lorain, Canada, 2009, 99 min, French (English subs) | Cast: Marie-Therese Fortin, Francois Arnaud

When it comes to well-written, smartly cast romantic comedies, resistance is entirely futile.

52 year-old social worker Gisele (Quebec theatre star Marie-Therese Fortin) is mourning the death of her husband. The news that he’d been having an affair leads her to question everything in her life she once took for granted. Into this emotional turmoil steps 19 year-old heartthrob Yannick (I Killed My Mother’s Francois Arnaud), with whom she begins a steamy, tumultuous and liberating affair – much to the shock and horror of her friends and relatives.

Whilst it respects the entertaining codes of the genre, Heat Wave dispenses with simplistic clichés. More than a formulaic romcom, it offers a refreshingly honest look at how judgmental society can be about our relationships. This realistic approach and engaging, charismatic performances result in an uplifting, wholly guilt-free pleasure. 

“Fortin brings wry warmth and dignity to a character who's no aerobicized cougar bombshell but attractively looks (and acts) her age. Arnaud flashes an antic charm, balancing Yannick's often reckless impulsiveness with convincing romantic zeal.” - Variety