Avril (April in Love)
Seville
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Synopsis:
April has been living in the "Trappistines of the Strict Observance" for 21 years. She was abandoned at birth in front of this isolated convent and raised by the sisters. It is time for her to utter her perpetual vows, and Sister Bernadette cannot but reveal the most buried secret of the monastery: she was not abandoned on her own, there was also a boy, her twin brother. April decides to look for him.
Gérald Hustache-Mathieu's Avril has a simple concept: young girl finds the brother she never knew. However he makes it just personal enough that it succeeds. Avril captures a basic journey of a girl on her road to self-discovery. Raised as a nun-in-waiting Avril is sent out on a vision quest of sorts to confirm her destiny to live out the rest of her life in a convent and away from the hustle and bustle of man.
Avril skips the convent's test and goes on her own trip. The path leads to the discovery of her brother who is living on a beach and is – gasp – gay. She also learns of the true meaning of art and what it's like to feel for man in the flesh. Avril is a touching film that succeeds in the simplicity of its execution and the complexity of its characters. The film survives on the strong bonds the film's core characters develop with each other and, in turn, how the viewer grows to like them.
Everything almost falls apart with a groaner of an ending, but I still couldn't help but fall in love with Avril and her road to self awareness.
Video: How's it look?
Avril is shown in a solid 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The colours are a little soft and somewhat disappointing.
Audio: How's it sound?
Although the package states there's only a 2.0 French audio track, there's actually a 5.1 Surround track as well.
Extras: What additional goodies are included?
- Teaser for the fictionalized version of Shake Hands With the Devil.
- English subtitles.
Closing Thoughts
Avril is a touching film that's certainly worth tracking down. However the DVD offers little in the way of value beyond the film itself.
Review brought to you by our friend Ryan @ Movie-Views.com
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