Happenstance: It's a Small World
The world is a small place and we all necessarily affect one another, though oftentimes we don’t realize the effects of our actions. Laurent Firode’s Happenstance (2000) follows several different characters as their actions and encounters affect each others’ lives. This storyline is entertaining to watch as it unfolds, because the ways in which the characters affect each other are inventive and comical. For example, a man hitches a ride in the back of a truck and accidentally kicks some produce out into the street. An intoxicated man comes along riding on a bike and hits the produce and is knocked unconscious when he wrecks. A little boy needing to pee runs over to a ditch and sees the unconscious man and becomes frightened. I could go on and on but then I would give away the entire movie. This is just a little taste of how the movie evolves into a chain reaction of happenstance. You could watch this movie several times and still discover new connections. If you look away for a moment you may miss something, so pay attention!
Audrey Tautou, also seen in Amélie (2001), provides another wonderful performance as Irène who is destined to meet her true love throughout this mess of chain reactions. Happenstance, however, is slow at times and can be difficult to follow.
Despite this, I enjoyed the film. It prompted reflections on the butterfly effect, dominoes, and even the beloved game “six degrees of Kevin Bacon.” Check this movie out sometime. A large cast and clever storyline makes this one entertaining to watch.
note: this film is French and has subtitles
Posted by Kelly Walvoord at July 27, 2006 11:40 PM