Non-Fiction

Name: Non-Fiction
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: May 3, 2019
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Christa Theret, Guillaume Canet, Juliette Binoche, Laurent Poitrenaux, Lionel Dray

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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Non-Fiction

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Movie Details & Credits

Playtime | Release Date: May 3, 2019 | R

Starring: Christa Theret, Guillaume Canet, Juliette Binoche, Laurent Poitrenaux, Lionel Dray, Nicolas Bouchaud, Nora Hamzawi, Olivia Ross, Pascal Greggory, Sigrid Bouaziz, Vincent Macaigne

Summary: Set amidst the bohemian intelligentsia of the Parisian publishing world, Non-Fiction traces the romantic and emotional fallout that results when a controversial writer (Vincent Macaigne) begins blurring the line between fact and fiction, using his real-life love affairs—including a passionate fling with an actress (Juliette Binoche) whoSet amidst the bohemian intelligentsia of the Parisian publishing world, Non-Fiction traces the romantic and emotional fallout that results when a controversial writer (Vincent Macaigne) begins blurring the line between fact and fiction, using his real-life love affairs—including a passionate fling with an actress (Juliette Binoche) who happens to be married to his editor (Guillame Canet)—as fodder for his explosive new novel. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Olivier Assayas

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 108 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

May 2, 2019

This is a sexy, fun film filled with a lot of zingers, but it also feels a little less personal than many of Assayas’ movies, perhaps in part because it’s not stuffed to the gills with songs he loves. Read full review

Jay Weissberg

Aug 31, 2018

This story of two couples dealing with change in their personal and professional lives, so packed with intellectual sparring, gets progressively lighter as it moves along, acknowledging the primacy of human interaction (foibles and all) over doctrine. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

May 22, 2019

While Non-Fiction can be quaint in its examination of art versus commerce, it is never boring. Read full review

Justin Chang

Sep 15, 2018

[A] delightfully voluble new comedy. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

May 9, 2019

Either way, though, Mr. Assayas, whose previous work has ranged from the tossed-off beguilements of “Irma Vep” to the docudramatic brilliance of “Carlos,” has created a small but special diversion that fairly vibrates with stylish performances and flies in the face of marketing fashion — a talkie with an abundance of good talk. Read full review

Ty Burr

May 15, 2019

It’s a fond comedy of manners and pretentions, a film for literate audiences that gently bites the hands that buy the tickets. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Dec 17, 2019

It’s a film that ostentatiously concerns itself with contemporary, zeitgeisty issues such as digital culture and the internet, and whether this is undermining the world of reading and books. But strip out the strained speechifying on that subject and it could have been made at any time in the last 40 years. Read full review

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User Reviews

GinaK

May 22, 2019

Perhaps only the French can make a light, witty, character-driven comedy like this –- on a serious subject (digital communication and its effects on book writing and publishing). Having read that sentence, you probably already know whether you want to keep reading this review –- or thinkPerhaps only the French can make a light, witty, character-driven comedy like this –- on a serious subject (digital communication and its effects on book writing and publishing). Having read that sentence, you probably already know whether you want to keep reading this review –- or think about seeing this movie. If you know at least a little bit about the French and –- better yet -- know some French natives (I learned young by having two of them as professors in college), and find witty films funny (and can read subtitles for hours on end), I think you will thoroughly enjoy this film as I did. The film is hilarious, but I think only a few of us in the theater were laughing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GreatMartin

Jun 4, 2019

In 1927 Al Jolson sang and spoke in a movie instantly making 'silents' become 'talkies' and for many years most movies had a lot of talk with some silence and then the "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones" among others brought the more action than talking in films. "Non-Fiction" is definitely aIn 1927 Al Jolson sang and spoke in a movie instantly making 'silents' become 'talkies' and for many years most movies had a lot of talk with some silence and then the "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones" among others brought the more action than talking in films. "Non-Fiction" is definitely a talking movie with, maybe, 3 minutes of silence, no dialogue!

There is a lot of talk mainly about books being published, print versus digital, where blogs are the novels, documentaries, etc., and what Truman Capote in 1966 called a non-fiction novel an author here refers to his work as 'autofiction', works based on his real life with names, places and, possibly, events changed.

Leonard (Vincent Macaigne) the author is having an affair with Selena (Juliette Binoche) the wife of his editor, Alain, (Guillaume Canet) who is having an affair with Laure (Christa Theret) who Alain has brought into the company to head the digital department. The only one not having an affair is Leonard's wife, Valerie, (Nora Hamzawi), who is aware and okay with her husband's affair, (hey folks this IS a French film!) as she is very busy helping a Socialist candidate running for office.

The film starts with Alain telling Leonard that he won't publish his latest book which leads to many very interesting discussions about today's publishing world and what it may be tomorrow. Even with scenes of the various couples in, and out of, bed there is talk about writing, reading, authors and what the latter use for source material. Here and there other, non-literary, topics are discussed, some for humor others to explain their relationships but it all gets back to what Leonard's new book is about and the 'autofiction' that pleases the woman, Selena, he is having the affair with or his wife, Valerie, who doesn't want to know anything about the affair.

"Non-Fiction" though well acted and interesting belongs more on PBS or a Hollywood Reporter round table session as it needs a more intimate setting than a theatre auditorium and a large movie screen and you very seldom hear me suggest that!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

pberra

May 11, 2019

Witty dialogue, good acting, and set in Paris (always nice). The film was enjoyable from start to finish. I would have like a bit more drama but c'est la vie!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

May 26, 2019

If your idea of a fun is watching a bunch of Parisian intellectuals sit around talking about the future of publishing, this is the film for you. Since it's French, there are several extramarital affairs to add spice, but there's no drama or emotion…just extended conversations. Even thoughIf your idea of a fun is watching a bunch of Parisian intellectuals sit around talking about the future of publishing, this is the film for you. Since it's French, there are several extramarital affairs to add spice, but there's no drama or emotion…just extended conversations. Even though it's billed as a comedy, the humor eluded me. The only mildly amusing moment is when they refer to Juliette Binoche as an actor, when she's also playing the lead in this movie. The actors are all convincing, but the film is hindered by the low-key approach and endless subject-matter chatter. In French with subtitles.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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