eabakkum Review of The Names of Love

The Names of Love (2010)

The universality of the republican lifestyle

[7/10 · 28 April 2015]

There is something double-edged about Le nom des gens. The film glorifies a cosmopolitan attitude, but its narrative is also typically French. In fact, the universality of the republican lifestyle is more or less the heritage of the French Revolution. Whereas Anglosaxon republicans accept a pluralist society, the French are suspicious that pluralism will weaken their state. In Le nom des gens the cultural diversity of the main characters is enormous. There are Muslims and Jews, bourgeois and parochial persons. However, they all try desperately to ignore their own cultural origins. Muslims marry bourgeois and Jews. They eat, drink and do everything that God forbade. Etcetera. As the events unfold, it becomes clear that the suppression of their past eventually affects their mental wellbeing. Time is adamant (the very first insect). This leads to several moving scenes, in particular for the Jewish woman who as a child witnessed the holocaust. And there is the tragedy of the Algerian Muslim, who witnessed the colonial war. The main characters stem from the militant left-wing community, which in France after the Revolution has always been quite sizable. Right-wing persons and nationalists only enter as targets for a Muslim woman, who tries to convert them by having sexual intercourse. She searches for love, companionship and sympathy, preferably at three different addresses. Her father feels ashamed: "Are there not enough Muslims in town?" (joke). Although the mental problems of the characters are overwhelming, in general the film manages to keep a light tone. Many of the events are ironic. And the love story is dynamite (take a flea out to diner). In addition, you have to be open-minded, and for instance accept that a "normal" woman leaves her house without noticing that she forgot to get dressed. Put women's libbers behind bras. For some reason Lionel Jospin, say the French Al Gore, who managed to come third in the presidential elections, even behind the nationalist candidate, also plays a minor role. Overall, Le nom des gens can be recommended. However, it is wise to buy a version with at least French subtitles. Don't hesitate to leave a comment. I love it.