5 to 7 (2014) User Reviews

Til then then

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 2 April 2015]

Greetings again from the darkness. Somewhere along the line, the magic of movie romance has been lost. Love stories these days tend to take either the direction of snark or sap (or whips). Ever so popular in the 1940's and 50's, well-written sentimentality for the big screen would best be described these days as passé'. And that's what makes writer/director Victor Levin's little film such a pleasure to experience.

We begin with a narrator proclaiming that some of the best writing is found on the tribute plaques attached to the benches within Central Park. Those plaques are used a few times throughout the film to drive home a particular situation or status within the story. The narrator is Brian (Anton Yelchin, Star Trek), a 24 year old struggling writer whose parents want him to give up his writing dream and head to law school.

One day, while walking through the city, Brian catches a glimpse of striking woman smoking a cigarette. He crosses the street and the two exchange some clever banter. Just like that … the story begins and their lives are forever changed.

The woman is Arielle (Berenice Marlohe, Skyfall), and she is French, older than Brian, and married … 3 things that are equally problematic according to his dad (Frank Langella), though his mom (Glenn Close) is just thrilled someone likes her boy. As the flirting escalates, Arielle proceeds to explain to Brian that she is open to seeing him daily between the hours of 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Familiar with French language, but unfamiliar with customs, Brian is brought up to speed on "cinq a sept" affairs – a tradition in France, where a married person's whereabouts are not questioned during the period after work and before home.

As you might guess, the affair does wonders for Brian as he is finally experiencing the world … passion … connection. Arielle opens his eyes and mind to many things, and Brian is especially taken aback as the lines blur between family and outsiders. This leads him to meet Jane (Olivia Thirlby), who is not just a rising young editor, but also the mistress to Arielle's husband Valery (Lambert Wilson). Yes, it's a tangled web that's woven.

Mr. Levin's script is remarkable in its effectiveness at providing the awkward situations with a dose of humor; and his targets include Jews, the French, and Americans and their customs. It's impossible not to think of the classic film The Graduate, or even Linklater's "Before" franchise, but this one is different … it does not shy away from sentimentality, romance or emotion. The film wears its heart on its sleeve – or more aptly, the screen. We feel (good and bad) right along with the characters.

The camera only uses close-ups when it must, and instead allows the scene and the characters to breathe. There is a simple looking, but wonderful shot of Brian and Arielle walking through Central Park directly towards the camera. They are in discovery mode towards each other, and it's fascinating to listen and watch.

Anyone who fancies themselves a writer will tip their cap to no less than eight lines that are near perfection. Being "too happy to write" is certainly a relatable emotion, but few films feature better last lines than this one … if only we could each be that one reader to which the line refers. If you are open to some heartfelt sentimental romance, then give this one a watch. If not, you'll certainly find no shortage of reviews from caustic critics so quick to rip a film lacking in snark and sarcasm.

Lovely film for a rainy afternoon

[rainegrewal · 8/10 · 10 November 2015]

This is one of those small gems of a film which is best viewed knowing nothing or very little about its details. The acting by all is good; Frank Langella, Glenn Close and the main French actress are the standouts. The story is sweet, if a tad implausible, but then all good love stories must have an element of implausibility to capture our imagination. Despite what other critics have written, I thought Anton Yelchin was wonderful. He is awkward, skinny yet confident -- his style is endearing and believable.

This is an unconventional, small film which took me by surprise. Well worth the watch.

A smart, endearing, and entertaining romantic comedy

[birnberg-1 · 8/10 · 24 January 2015]

5 to 7 is a smart, endearing, and entertaining film, well interpreted and, while in the course of deftly playing off cultural stereotypes, resonantly manifesting significant character development.

The plot revolves around a romance with repercussions that demonstrate a significant gap between American and French social mores. That very gap becomes the stage for the film's comic zone, where the protagonist and his parents manifest the angst that generates its constant chuckles and a few really good belly-laughs.

The film fits squarely into the Uptown New York awkwardness-generates-witty-repartee pattern that has been so well established by Woody Allen and followed by Whit Stillman. Well crafted dialogue delivered convincingly.

Anton Yelchin turns in a compelling performance as the protagonist, Brian. He interprets a highly endearing character: sensitive, intelligent, thoughtful, driven and respectful. He and each of the principle characters display commendable characteristics that make them all highly likable.

Bérénice Marlohe glows with exuberant kindness and empathy. Lambert Wilson, expertly portraying that which Americans find both typical and impenetrable of the (particularly aristocratic) French, reveals therein universally-recognizable and enviable grace and integrity. The audience at the Miami Jewish Film Festival howled with laughter as Glenn Close and Frank Langella, playing Brian's parents, masterfully interpreted the Jewish martyr-mother and stubborn father, respectively.

Victor Levin's directorial sensitivity enticed each of these actors to interpret stereotypic portrayals in a loving manner, to great comic and dramatic effect. Levin walks the line perfectly without offense. The characters are not caricatures: they are quintessential and highly endearing and human incorporations of their representative communities.

As the plot unfolds, Brian becomes a study in character development. He learns, on all planes, the value of dedication, sacrifice, and a good underlying moral compass. The story is accessible and compelling. It speaks to serendipity and the extent to which life is a sum of our experiences, most markedly seen in relationships. I found a very resonant message that these relationships are best savored with sensitivity to their context and they always be remembered with sweetness. Ain't that the truth!

.... pleasantly unexpected

[bjarias · 7/10 · 16 June 2015]

Without a doubt, BM makes the best muse any man could dream up. And yes, it is completely a rom-com fairytale... but a very well written, acted, and produced one as far as the genre goes. As implausible as it all actually is.. it has an irresistibility about it that draws you in, and even with a bit of awkwardness just past the middle of the film, it recovers and dishes out a reasonable ending. Berenice Marlohe subtly fills the screen with her beauty and charm (as casting choice, she works dead-on.. not totally sold on him). Looking at some of her images on bing she has the power to overwhelm the lens, but here in this movie, it's downplayed, and the production benefits. This is a well thought out and well made little film, and in a field that usually includes mostly stuff bordering on unwatchable, it's refreshing to find one might be worth watching again sometime.

The most extraordinary story about love

[madeleine-zuber-1993 · 10/10 · 31 March 2017]

I began this movie, knowing little of what awaited me. Many movies you watch in life are movies that just fleet by, without having an impact on your view of life, of love, of what's important to you. This movie was and remains different. It is a movie that will challenge your idea of life and of love foremost. If you are prepared for this, then I strongly advice you to watch this movie. It was gripping without its like. I have never been this moved by a movie, and it will probably take a long time for me to find a movie of its like. 10/10

Flat and weirdly pointless

[stills-6 · 6/10 · 14 June 2017]

You expect a romance movie to have something to say about romance, the idea of romance or love. And while this movie has a lot of cheesy dialogue that would point in that direction, it ultimately has nothing to say. And when a romance movie has nothing to say about romance, you would typically expect to see a kind of chemistry that draws you in. And while the female lead attempts to portray this pretty well, the male lead appears to have no idea that his character is in a romance, let alone is in love. And when a movie like this has nothing to say about romance, and has precious little chemistry between the leads, you would at least expect it to have a smart script. Alas, the dialogue leads from one laughably clichéd line to another. The weirdly pointless bench taglines portrayed as "the best writing in NYC" should give us a clue about where the script is going and how the narrative will play out.

Not to say this movie isn't worthwhile in other ways. The character of Jane, the editor, may be the only 3-dimensional one here, and she completely takes over many of the scenes -- of the precious few she's in. Her absence is sorely noticeable when she's not there. The male lead's parents, while not quite as fleshed out as we'd like, are nevertheless extremely enjoyable. The story itself is nothing special -- it plays out as melodrama (stock characters in a situation that forces them to act in stock ways) which isn't necessarily bad if it's well done, but it just isn't.

Something else to mention about the story: The universe in which this story exists is one that rewards and ultimately revolves around complete sincerity. This is intensely aggravating, not just because it makes the whole thing unrealistic, but also as it implies that the people here have no interior lives. That the only thing that matters is what they have chosen to do in a completely sincere manner. That is, the important thing is not who they are, but what they do. For a purportedly delicate character study, this is a weird narrative choice.

There is one piece of irony that is probably not intentional, but which completely destroys any integrity this movie may have had at one point, and the following isn't a spoiler. The line "What would you do for love?" is intended to apply only to the woman and her life decisions, but it ultimately applies to the man as well. Because his own implicit answer to this question is what leads this movie to go into the depths of self-indulgent pretension. All of which could be forgiven if any of the other faults mentioned above were also addressed.

Lovely & Thoughtful

[ivana-88-757720 · 10/10 · 3 January 2016]

I will admit that the film had me in the first few seconds. That it was no accident made it even more appreciated. That it fulfilled its promise by the end left me thinking, smiling and feeling good. A lot of care, love and thought had gone into making a story about likable people who are complex characters. Please, give me more. The script, the acting, the camera work and the perfect pace, made it all a beautiful pastiche of quiet and quality film-making. Yes please, give me more. But it would be helpful if these gems are not hidden away from the public. Thank God for Netflix. I've searched for some information on the film after watching it and saw that this was a debut for Victor Levin as a director. I am looking forward to more.

Not very realistic

[bettycjung · 18 March 2018]

3/16/17. I wanted to watch this because I like Anton Yelchin. The fact he died so young from a tragic accident made me want to catch everything he did. Sadly, Yelchin came off as being somewhat awkward in this somewhat implausible romance. Perhaps people living in such circles act this way, but just seemed a bit unrealistic.

You can always find certain things for yourself, especially in love

[manhtoan_hp · 7/10 · 18 October 2015]

Indeed, I would rather say this movie is somewhat cliché and the lines are quite cheesy at some point. But I like the atmosphere this movie have brought along.

Brian (Anton Yelchin) played a young writer who was trying to have a published story. One day, he met Arielle (Bérénice Marlohe), a married French women, and their love story begins.

Regardless of the light tone, the story seems to happen faster than audiences' expectation, thus, it left behind some hole in the plot and especially characters development. However, I enjoyed the atmosphere, the conversation and somewhat is the performance of both main actor and actress.

Anton have shown a good expression of awkwardness, of brokenhearted to the character throughout the movie. Marlohe, on the other hand, was indeed a married women with experiences but still showed the fondness in love.

Overall, if you are seeking for a story with layer or perfect performance from actor, then I think you are seeing it in the wrong way. Romance movie is meant to watch with feeling, and I think this movie have brought along the feeling that we all need.

Dialogues, a lost art rediscovered.

[doappel · 9/10 · 14 April 2017]

I had no idea what a great movie this would be. Or how good Anton Yelchin actually (already) was, as an actor. This is the best romantic movie that I've seen for several years, with incredible dialogues. It is so rich, in so many ways, combining wisdom, life experience and humor. Nothing but love for this one.

The story is filled with nice adorable romance and philosophy of love with a strong satisfying ending , but i wished that there were more followable comedy to resonate with.

[Aktham_Tashtush · 7/10 · 22 July 2015]

The story is filled with mixed emotions, the plot is tight and the story generally is easily understandable. The sceenplay is just fine, Victor Levin is a writer and director with good experience , wrote a couple of episodes of "Mad Men" and here it all went fine but to be more honest there were actually more than a couple of dialogues where i had the eagerness to fast-forward a little... but again i kinda liked the ending of the movie ,, it was balanced and unpredictable and to me it was a satisfying one.

The Genre was a bit unfair to be called "Comedy,Drama,Romance" because i kinda found a lack of the first two , so it went full on romance , and i'm not saying that it's a bad thing, but it would'v gone up on the charts of the best Rom-Com this year if it had a little more jokes or goofy or even the stressed comedy scenes as Anton Yelchin's face kinda has the face for such things.

As for the cast,Anton Yelchin is a really good actor but i kinda wanted to see more comedy by him, and i love Olivia Thirlby ,, generally the casting went okay.

Overall, the story is filled with romance and philosophy of love with a strong satisfying ending , but no catchy comedy to follow but it doesn't mean it wasn't rather enjoyable.

What a terrific movie!

[merridew-2 · 9/10 · 7 July 2015]

It's a love story. It's a coming of age story. It's a class-of- cultures story. But to call "5 to 7" a "romantic comedy" is to evoke images of all sorts of rom-com clichés that this film does its best to avoid. There were moments when I expected the movie to go in a predictable direction, and it didn't. I thought this was going to be a movie about a young, sheltered writer who could never achieve success until he stopped writing and started living -- but, while this played some part, it wasn't exactly that, either.

Best of all, I adored every character in this movie. There are no villains. The only villain is life -- the inherent complications in good people's lives that, try as you might, you can't dodge. The two principals, Anton Yelchin and Bérénice Marlohe, were perfect. Frank Langella was hilarious; Glenn Close touching. And the sprinkling of real-life people into the story was handled exactly right.

It's a shame that this movie has had such a limited release. It is truly a wonderful film.

Rated 5 to 7

[zoomvaroom · 6/10 · 3 August 2016]

A 5 to 7 rating .... I do not judge movies for others or know what you might enjoy. I was so happy when this movie ended because there was no more time left to make any more mistakes.... however there were some few very enjoyable moments for me. So I gave it a 6...but I also agree with those who rated it lower. Beyond those moments I give it a 4 or 5 rating.... I ENJOYED HIS PARENTS...not the two lovers... The characters or script did not develop anything to show love and then all of a sudden they're willing to jump off forever and ever ....or not. A slap and a $250k check...right! I know the writer and the filmmaker wanted great love to be in the story but it was not anything I could see in this film. It could be a book report without images. They were telling a story but not showing it. They were reporting with little feeling. I found the movie story very unrealistic in my small world. Part of what an actor is TO ME are the roles they played before in other films. From a Star Trek bridge to romantic lead was a galactic stretch. If it were rewritten and redone as a light comedy, with a comedy minded director, it might be an OK cast . From my filmmaker's mind the cinematographic images were acceptable - safe. Mostly overcast soft lighting. Boring art wise. Often the lenses and full shots of her...were awkward looking. The story, and perhaps the way it was played were missing many things except boredom If I find myself doing other things while a movie is playing I know it is weak for me. I would not pay to own or rent this movie but on Netflix it's an OK watch. It is easy to be critical of what we do not enjoy fully. Easily rated 5 to 7

A movie where every line spoken is a cliché

[markmellon · 3/10 · 9 December 2015]

When I decided to see this movie I was aware that it played a little bit on stereotypes. American vs. French culture, clumsy writer vs. ex-model trophy wife and so forth. Boy was I in for a surprise!

The script of this movie is a feat of creative writing. It proves that yes, you can actually write a movie script where every single line spoken is a cliché and where every single character is a superficial caricature. The clumsy writer says all the things "clumsy writers" say. The beautiful French adulteress responds with everything that we would expect from a "French adulteress". They have an affair, but everybody is cool with it because this is how they do it "in France". You get the picture.

The screenwriter evidently thought that his little gem could find itself in no better hands than his own, so he decided to also direct the movie. This leaves us with the added bonus of visual clichés in addition to the linguistic ones. Look, when an actress behaves all the time like she's some kind of Venus walking on earth, it's not sexy or sensual, it's just cheesy and banal. And yes, you dear director, I think it's your fault that she does it like that.

The movie could have been promoted from a sad parody to a watchable run-of-the-mill romantic comedy if the actors had helped it a bit. But no, the actors are not really acting, just reading the miserable script. So, sad parody it will be.

My advice is save your precious time for something better. This is just a pretentious trashy movie that thinks of itself that since it has a "French" theme it must definitely be full of high culture and refinement. No, sorry, it just doesn't work like that.

Fantastic writing; casting less than worthy of the writer

[BBButler3 · 7/10 · 4 June 2018]

I loved almost every word of this script. With so much other great writing under his belt, I'm not sure how Victor Levin is able to remain in his skin. Even the ordinary words are placed like jewels in the sky. Most of the voice-over narrative read like a great literary novel, as it should. Certain other parts were also beyond well-done, for instance, the "good-bye" letter from Arielle. I wouldn't change a word.

However, the casting did not reach to touch what the words were attempting to make flesh. The main character, Brian Bloom, was too young or too underwhelming or too lacking in passion to meet the expectations and hopes I had for his character; the love interets, Arielle Pierpont, was too predictable of a classic, standard-issue French lover to be believed as someone who would throw her entire life away, to give her heart to such a young man. Both needed something extra or different to create the needed chemistry for them to be sympathetic to the viewer--Brian to be more outwardly passionate and perhaps mature, Arielle to be covertly needier and quirkier than a collected dipomat's wife might be. I stayed with them in their affair, but more for what I had hoped for them than what they actually shared. For any romantic movie, the lovers must match. For this film, the lovers needed not just match, but create an epic type of passion that drags the viewer in an causes the viewer to be just as heartbroken, just as destroyed as the characters themselves. And, yes, the parting destroyed him and her both.

Yes, time and a more mature view of life gave them both the ability to embrace the gift they had for that moment of time. But that gratitude could have been much greater if the on-screen passion of the actors and the desire of the characters themselves were also splashed across the screen with a little more of a Jackson Pollack type of abandon. '

If the casting and direction were a bit more senstive, this could have been another Dr. Zhivago but with less production costs.

Would I watch it again? Sure! But only if it were a rainy day, I had plenty of popcorn, and I could share it with a woman I had a secret crush on.

Words can not describe this masterpiece but i will try

[msv-42928 · 10/10 · 2 December 2021]

I did not expect such a beautiful and meaningful film at all. One of the most different and best films that many have ignored and is very much ignored in its genre. The beginning of the film is not attractive and no one expects an even good film, but it should be a little He was patient to know this masterpiece. The film is appreciated in all respects. This film does not have a compelling story and somehow chose a bad subject. But this film turned the worst subject into the best subject. It was great. The acting performance was mediocre and progressed until the end of the film. One of the most important positive points of the film was the progress of the film and finally the last sequence exploded like a bomb and made me fly.

After watching the movie, you wish that every time you want to see the movie again, you forget the story of the movie and watch it again and enjoy it.

Watch this movie and enjoy. You will not regret it.

Scene of the crime or crime of the scene?

[miclarke · 24 April 2017]

As I've grown older and have watched thousands of films, I find the need...no, the desire to give some films a break. Not everything is Bergman or Kubrick. So, while Love Actually and Jerry Maguire don't reach the depths of smart cinema, I've come to enjoy them for what they are, movies that can make you feel. Then there are films like 5 to 7 which are such an affront to the taste and craft of making a "feel something" movie that it's hard to navigate around a violent reaction to them.

What kind of rubbish is this? As the characters move into the story, I find myself actually becoming less interested in them as we go along. Dialogue that would be, at best, stilted coming out of the most accomplished Shakespearean actors sounds like my child's second grade performance of Hansel and Gretel coming out of these performers. Another reviewer complained about an over abundance of cliché. But that is wrong....the dialogue and set-ups here aspire to cliché, without ever actually achieving anything that might be so boring, but well understood. Yes, we get it, the male lead is young....24. So, can't he at least speak like a 24 year old instead of a pubescent teen? I could go on and on and on, but I've already wasted enough of my lifetime with this. Has Nighthawks ever even been at the Guggenheim?

forced to expand horizons in early adult life

[Dunham16 · 6/10 · 31 May 2015]

Many of us enter adulthood with standards and plans and agendas. They can be soon tossed away should we be forcibly challenged with an opportunity to reluctantly follow unfamiliar paths as a way to grow. How we become functioning adults can be more the way we spontaneously react to these seemingly unusual options than the way we develop along the paths we have chosen. The story and the photography fulfill this aspect nicely yet merely experienced performers Glenn Close and Frank Langella as the naive author's parents shine as able to carry their scenes on their own merit. Many British television series aired in the US over the decades have handles the same theme with more grace and more lifestyle coaching. What is special about this movie is its depiction of downtown Manhattan juxtaposing struggling singles barely able to afford a bed and a table for their cramped rental and partially with the upper socioeconomic classes of mostly the east fifties from Bergorf's to the Saint Regis with some scenes further uptown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim within walking distance of tony Carnegie Hill. I think choosing Anton Yeltin to recite the lengthy narrative precisely as it would be in a French art film is the weakest part of the product but not the only weak part It is to me more fulfilling to watch again many of the other other options offering this lifestyle choice advice.

"5 to 7" is an adorable, funny and touching romantic comedy, but requires an open mind in order to enjoy it.

[CleveMan66 · 10/10 · 26 April 2015]

Leave it to the French. As if romance in modern America weren't already challenging enough, along come a French couple living in the U.S., complicating things further. Apparently, in France, if you're going to have an affair, 5 to 7 p.m. is the accepted time. It's the time of day when your whereabouts are naturally somewhat ambiguous, which makes it easier to discretely engage in this kind of… activity. And, if you have an understanding spouse, such a thing is perfectly acceptable! In fact, if the rules are followed and everyone involved is agreeable, all of you can even be friends! Anyway, that's the basic set-up for the romantic comedy "5 to 7" (R, 1:35). Now, I don't usually do this, but I feel the need, for the sake of my personal safety, to begin this review with a disclaimer: Although I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, no one with whom I have been, am or might one day be in a relationship should read into this review any approval on my part of any of the attitudes or activities depicted in this movie or any desire on my part to engage in such activities. Whew. Okay. I think I'm covered. On with the review… Anton Yelchin (best known as Chekov in the recent "Star Trek" films) plays Brian Bloom, an aspiring writer in his mid-20s. He meets a sophisticated French woman named Arielle (Bérénice Marlohe, the "Bond girl" in "Skyfall") on the streets of New York City. She's outside smoking, he's a smoker too, he speaks a little French, yada yada yada, another Big Apple romance is born. The problem is that she's married. Or IS that a problem? She mentions her marital status very (note to self, insert appropriate French word here)… nonchalantly. Brian is confused. Arielle explains that the French have a different attitude towards these issues. She and her diplomat husband, Valery (Lambert Wilson, a veteran of both French and American films), are each free to take a lover, as long as they are discreet and only "get together" between the film's titular hours. Brian moves from confused to freaked out, but he goes for it. After all, Arielle is beautiful, sexy, cultured and has a magnetic personality… all of which I'm noting purely objectively, of course. (I am in SO much trouble right now.) Things go swimmingly for Brian and Arielle. Arielle is so happy, that her husband notices, tracks down Brian and… invites him to dinner. Brian is still very uneasy about this whole arrangement, but he accepts Valery's invitation. At said dinner, Brian meets a New York conductor, a restaurateur and, in a random but cool cameo, civil rights pioneer Julian Bond. Brian also meets Valery and Arielle's perfect children – and Valery's mistress, Jane (Olivia Thirlby, who appeared in another unconventional romantic comedy called "No Strings Attached" in 2011), and Jane just happens to be an editor at a NYC publishing house. Soon, Brian's parents (Glenn Close and Frank Langella) pop up, meet everyone and comment on the goings-on. The crazy thing is everyone gets along with everyone… until at least one member of this group inevitably ends up wanting more than just a 5 to 7 romance.

"5 to 7" is completely adorable! Every single one of the characters (and I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE) comes across as so genuine, kind, interesting and fun that I would want to hang out with any of them, but preferably all of them (nothing kinky, of course). And they're not only fun, but also very funny! This is a smile-from-ear-to-ear romantic comedy that also has more than its share of laugh-out-loud moments. But as adorable and humorous as it is, this film is also touching, romantic and even thought-provoking. Embedded in the dialog and the plot is a subtle, but powerful message for tolerance and against judging the culture of another based on the standards of your own. However, I should point out that, even though I love this movie, I also loved "The Godfather" but still haven't joined the mafia. Just sayin'. Seriously though, "5 to 7" is a wonderful film and can be enjoyed by anyone open-minded enough to watch it without judgment. "A+"

Definitely worth seeing but syrupy ending drags

[jtheg-767-142229 · 6/10 · 24 July 2015]

Starts off a good 7/8 out of 10 (I don't give many films an 8+), with some moments of genius. Then the last half an hour drags ever longer. The film ends up slightly disjointed because of this, not totally like you're watching a different film but still a bit "hmmmm".

Some great performances however, particularly the two leads, particularly the French actress, who is strikingly beautiful. Disappointed not to see more of Eric Stoltz, who was kinda why I decided to watch it. Also, his role and the milieu he commands is just plain weird. The depiction of the atmosphere of high literary society in NY seems rather forced; granted this fits in with some of the themes going on. Still, worth a watch. If you like the synopsis in the main IMDb page and think it'll be your sort of thing, it probably will.

An Incredibly Beautiful Movie

[chesbayah · 10/10 · 14 December 2015]

This is a movie that slowly inexorably creeps up on you. All of a sudden you are seeing a wonderful story, carefully crafted and acted. I am stunned that 5 to 7 has been seen by so few people. I rarely rate a movie a 10. But his clearly deserved that and perhaps and another star.

If you watch 5 to 7 (and you should), keep an open mind for the first 10-12 minutes. Do not expect a simple romantic comedy, nor all the clichés that come with that genre. Rather you will be watching literature. Anton Yelchin deserved, no less, than an academy award nomination. And French actress Berenice Marlohe deserved an Academy Award. They are so overpowering in their roles that you will forget that a great actress, Glen Close, and a great actor Frank Langella have roles.

10-stars. Bravo!!!!

Nice though quirky story

[Seraphion · 7/10 · 5 July 2015]

A writer waiting for his big break in New York, Brian always believed that in this city people will always be just twenty feet away from some they know or someone they're meant to know. Outside the St. Regis, he spots and befriends a French girl Arielle who soon reveals that she is only available weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Soon Arielle opens up that she's a 33-years old married mother of two, which makes Brian uncomfortable with the fact, even though Arielle explains that in her culture this is commonly accepted. Brian distances himself from her, but his effort only lasted for three weeks. Haunted by curiosity and longing, Brian surrenders and enters into a relationship with Arielle. One day, to Brian's confusion and controlled shock, Arielle's husband Valerie meets him and asks him to come to dinner. Arielle tells Brian that Valerie knows about them because she told him. And that she also knows that Valerie also has a mistress named Jane.

At the dinner Brian is introduced to some of New York's successful figures and Jane. Going home together, Jane tries to talk Brian out of his discomfort of his relationship with Arielle. Brian introduces Arielle to his parents. They are shocked by the Arielle's situation but then calmed as Brian's mother sees Arielle's love for Brian. One day, Brian's big break finally comes as he gets his story awarded by The New Yorker magazine. Jane's publisher gets interested to publish Brian. But that night Brian calls Jane asking suggestion about good jewelry. On their next meeting, Brian proposes to Arielle and she accepts after a moment of hesitation. She tells him to wait for her the next day. That night Valerie visits Brian, and despite he disagrees to it, he leaves Brian and Arielle to their decision, and even gives some money to Brian.

But the next day when Brian comes to meet Arielle, she already left, with only leaving a letter. In it she wrote her history and her decision not to go with Brian. She also asks Brian not to contact her anymore. Brian stayed true to her request and used his despair to write. With this he produced his first novel The Mermaid, which delivers him to acclaim. A few years later Brian is married and has a son, but as he walks he still can't shake Arielle's shadow off his mind. But as Brian and his family walks into the Guggenheim museum, they run into Valerie, Arielle, and their kids. They chat for a while and depart. Brian closes the movie with a monologue saying that one's greatest story is meant for one specific reader.

Having a title of "5 to 7", I first looked at this movie as another pass-time with potential to be artsy and yet comically quirky. But I was so wrong indeed in many aspects. The story is indeed based on the premise of the affair relationship. But the movie nicely uses the French culture to spin that base premise into something questionable and even depicted something that quite the opposite.

But I found that the movie only uses that spin to create its basic layer, just for the story to have its directions and flow. The movie itself, in its grander sense, is speaking about a premise that is best said by Jamie Lannister's words; the heart wants whom it wants. The movie gets philosophical with this, particularly after the final conflict and continued on to the epilogue.

I really like how the movie works everything up to a very good balance. The comedy parts are very neat that they're not rare, yet they're just at the right dose that they'll bleed out of the whole story. Yet they are also still able to stir up some laughs. I particularly like the scene where Arielle openly talks about herself as a mother of two to Sam and Arlene.

The movie can also get very artsy, particularly in the beginning parts, where it has tons of nice camera angle plays and zoom plays. I also like how the movie can have the camera to fluidly follow the characters as they move, and not always resorting to frame cuts.

The acting overall is quite a good one in my opinion. Anton Yelchin did very well in portraying his character's anxiety about the discomfort of his relationship, but also is being driven forward by his longing for Arielle. Berenice Marlohe at the other end can quite balance the relationship part, although I must say I find it quite weird that she grinned more than enough for her parts. Lambert Wilson and Olivia Thirlby provided nice story extensions that completed the needed angles, and Frank Langella and Glenn Close tops the whole movie with their comedic parts.

For me 5 to 7 (2014) deserves a strong 7 out of 10 score. If it is still in your cinemas, I'd recommend you to go and see it. If only Berenice Marlohe's acting was better, I'm sure the movie would've scored more.

A brain sticker movie

[arsalaanmurad · 10/10 · 29 November 2021]

I don't think that I will ever forget about this movie, even if I suffer from memory loss in the future, there is not even one boring second in the movie, the characters were precisely chosen and played perfectly by the actors and actresses.

5-7 at The New Yorker

[nybambino33 · 7/10 · 3 November 2018]

All my life I've always wanted to a be writer or a designer for The New Yorker Magazine. I've been a collector of the magazines since the age of 11. The 9/11 issue was my first issue. I am now 28 and I still collect them. I'm a graphic designer for MLB and my dreams was/is to contribute to The New York in some sort of way. Born and raised in New York City, there was a lot of similarities to the character of Mr. Bloom. What I gained from this movie is to never give up on your goals and always remember what got you where you are today. And where you want to be. It's a great love story and it proves that you can love more than one person at a time, there's many levels of love. Everything happens for a reason, and it's not where you are, it's who you are with.

Inspired to start writing my own mermaid story...

Annoying to say the least.

[santiagocosme · 2/10 · 1 November 2015]

Being French there's something I had to ask myself as soon as the film started? How is it that in so many movies French women are always depicted as the super-wise, cold but sensitive, I always know it all, i always have an answer type? I find that stereotype utterly annoying.

Every bit of this movie felt so fake and forced. I did not believe a single sentence of what I was listening in the movie. The script writer should have brought the dialogues down a notch cause even if the protagonist is a writer and the woman he likes seems cultivated, the conversations they hold are plain inhuman. No one, I repeat no one talks like that!

This movie irritated me enormously! I just want to get finished with this review to forget about it forever! The only thing good about it was the title, and the history of couple getting to know each other form 5 to 7pm. After that, everything is downhill with no brakes.