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'5x2': Great movie for a first date — or a final one

Told in backward chronology — like "Betrayal" and "Irreversible" before it — "5x2" begins with an ending and ends with a beginning.

The latest from prolific, innovative Francois Ozon ("Swimming Pool," "Under the Sand"), the drama is a cool, sometimes chilly dissection of one couple's relationship — from the final sit-down in a divorce attorney's office to their first flirtation, years earlier, at a seaside resort.

ThinkFilm '5x2' B- The verdict: Dramatic proof that it takes two to tango, and tangle. Directors: Francois Ozon, Marc Missonnier, Olivier Delbosc Starring: Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Stephane Freiss, Francoise Fabian, Geraldine Pailhas, Michael Lonsdale Run time: 90 minutes Release date: June 10, 2005 Rating: R for strong graphic sexuality, language and some drug content. Language: In French and Italian, with subtitles. On the web Official movie site Rate "5x2"   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

We meet Marion (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) and Gilles (Stephane Freiss) as they listen stone-faced while the lawyer reads out the terms of property division and custody of their young son. What follows is a scene as emotionally acute as it is, at first, hard to swallow: The now-uncoupled couple check into a hotel for some break-up sex — which turns ugly.

It's a good example of what's both strong and flawed about the movie. Ozon, who co-wrote it with frequent collaborator Emmanuele Bernheim, isn't afraid to go to dark corners. The problem is, as we watch the couples' story in happier, earlier days, the nastiness of that first (last) encounter lingers.

That's probably intended. As the five scenes (which give the movie its title) gradually grow warmer, we can't forget where it's all headed. Yet Gilles' character — no matter what the time period is — always seems aloof, closed-off. Our sympathies tilt toward Marion in a story that (I'm guessing) is meant to be more balanced.

It's easy to side with Marion because Bruni-Tedeschi is an appealing presence, looking like Gillian Anderson one moment, Virginia Madsen the next. Though the character has flaws, she doesn't act out like Gilles does — for instance, failing to show up at the hospital when their son is born.

"5x2" is best at fine detail, especially when the actors, both impressive, nail the exasperation and hair-trigger bickering that come with longtime familiarity.

Like last year's "Enduring Love," the movie compares and contrasts different examples of coupledom — whether it's Marion's parents, who aren't speaking to each other but remain on a profound level devoted, or Gilles' gay brother's infatuation with a flighty, faithless young man.

We also get a glimpse of Gilles' relationship with his longtime girlfriend Valerie (Geraldine Pailhas) prior to meeting Marion. Beautiful and bossy, Valerie seems to know, even before the soon-to-be couple do, that her days with Gilles are ending.

Ultimately, "5x2" suggests that there's no such thing as a perfect couple — but that believing such a thing can exist is what makes matters of the heart worthwhile.

In other words, it's either a perfect first-date movie, or great for a final one.