5x2
User Score
6.0 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12

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  1. ChadS.
    Apr 10, 2007
    6
    Giles (Stephane Freiss) and Marion(Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) sign their divorce papers, then they adjourn to a hotel room for some afternoon delight. What is this? "Au revoir" sex? No. "5x2" is telling their story in reverse, and if this narrative device dredges up bad memories of Monica Belluci's anguished screams on a desolate subway platform; relax, Francois Ozon's follow-up to "The Swimming Pool" is closer to "Betrayal" (written by Harold Pinter) than Gaspar Noe's "Irreversible". This disillusioned Parisian couple can't move on because quantum physics is making them relive their personal hell... and heaven. "5X2" is a real downer, however, self-consciously so; every momentous occasion in their married life (the wedding night, the birth of their child) is marred by Gilles' perplexing behavior. In the gaps, their ongoing life that goes unexamined by the camera eye within the fade-outs between every sour vignette aren't nearly as enigmatic as they should be, since the devil in their holy matrimony tells us all we need to know about their marital trajectory before each narrative wormhole snakes into the doomed couple's past. "5X2" is well-acted, nicely photographed, but kind of pointless.… Expand
  2. AaronA.
    Nov 16, 2006
    8
    Ambitious, superbly acted, imperfect. Recommended.
  3. GeorgeG.
    Mar 17, 2006
    9
    This compelling dissection of a marriage gone bad offers superb acting and sublime directing. Viewers who don´t like it obviously are dead in the brain and between their legs.
  4. albertor.
    Nov 18, 2005
    8
    Has a soap opera infidelity argument cutter and twisted upside down. It is a blow of fresh air in the middle of thousands of action American films. In the beginning (end) of the film a character opens the window to see the Mediterranean Sea and you can feel the wind. There are no bullets, no car persecutions, no drugs, and no heroes. You have only to find the characters reason for their unnatural behavior. Good to share, and discuss ( or argue) with a friend.… Expand
  5. AdrianE.
    Sep 20, 2005
    0
    Don't waste your time watching this! If this is the best French film of the year (yes it's claimed!), then I won't be watching any other French ones either!! Very disappointing.
  6. TNgo
    Jun 20, 2005
    5
    In 2004, two French directors produced two reverse-chronological love stories. Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was rich in character development: as the story unravels, it becomes apparent that what had attracted the two doomed lovers at first blush, would eventually repel them. Ozon's 5x2, the other 2004 reverse love story (now finally released here in the states), unfortunately, lacks the strong character development that made Eternal Sunshine so worthwhile. With such a temporal narrative device, it would have been of utmost interest and welcome to the viewer had the Ozon imparted me, and others as well, with any kind of insight into their tempestous affair, considering the fact that we are provided with the outcome in the beginning. What attracted them in the first place? And what drew them apart? We don't know, and frankly, we don't care all that much (even though Valeria Bruni Tedeschi's performance does elicit pathos from this viewer, from time to time). We have the solution to the puzzle, but we can't help but wonder about HOW the pieces to the puzzle fit. Nevertheless, it is, for the most part, an entertaining film. But for anyone looking for a love story that will emotionally resonate long after the screening, this is not the one.… Expand
  7. TimD.
    Jun 17, 2005
    9
    Very well made, with the fascinating power of a slow-motion car crash, telling a difficult story that does not flinch from showing complex, difficult aspects of its characters. Effective, naturalistic acting across the board, most notably that of Bruni-Tedeschi.
  8. RichardK.
    Jun 15, 2005
    7
    While this movie had flaws (as opposed to be being great!) it was still a decided improvement over anyhtign that Hollywood grinds out in the Mr & Mrs. Smith genre....I liked the reversal device as I did in Irreversible.....perhaps for different reasons and I agree with one reviewer who said it was less an anti-marriage film and more of a pro-divorce statement.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Carina Chocano
    50
    Bruni-Tedeschi is a lovely actress, and whatever emotion is evident onscreen comes courtesy of her.
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  2. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Rick Groen
    63
    In 5 x 2, the 2 are terrific; it's the 5 that needs work.
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  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    50
    The film is bleak, not particularly compelling, and the characters are frustrating, the enemies of their own happiness.
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