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Goodbye First Love (15)

Goodbye First Love (15)

Drama, Romance

A chronicle of the romance between Camille and Sullivan, which begins during their adolescence and picks up after Sullivan's 8-year absence from exploring the world.


The critical consensus

This might just work as aversion therapy for people who think that they miss being young. (But even they would have to suffer through the intolerable retro-folk soundtrack).

**(*)(*)(*)Hannah McGill, The List, 17/04/2012

As a portrait of adolescent self-absorption, it’s authentically annoying.

***(*)(*)Siobhan Synnot, The Scotsman, 29/04/2012

Some will find Camille too self-absorbed, yet writer/director Mia Hansen-Løve (Father Of My Children) conjures poignancy, grace and a feel for symbolic seasonal change that’s positively Renoir-esque.

****(*)Tom Dawson, Total Film, 30/04/2012

Though the film’s intermittent structure does resemble the recent Like Crazy, Hansen-Løve’s decision to devote the majority of the film to Lola (we only occasionally catch up with Sullivan) gives proceedings a sharper, more convincing edge.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 03/05/2012

Hansen-Løve again shows what a gifted storyteller she is with this tender, realistic portrayal of young love. Highly recommended.

****(*)David Parkinson, Empire Online, 01/05/2012

The unromantic pain and euphoria of love are instantly revived in this outstanding film.

****(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 03/05/2012

The young stars may irritate as many viewers as they delight, but their rather stroppy chemistry is convincing and memorable.

****(*)Tim Robey, The Telegraph, 03/05/2012

Even with a sag in the middle, Urzendowsky and Creton, new French stars in the making, hold the attention throughout.

***(*)(*)Alison Rowat, The Herald, 03/05/2012

Hansen-Love directs in a placid, matter-of-fact way that's not very sexy nor particularly revealing; it's also a pity that the sidelong wit of her previous film has been mislaid. It may be true to the romantic experiences of her youth but as dramatic re-creation it's inert.

**(*)(*)(*)Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 04/05/2012

A moody drama distinguished by a refreshingly unusual soundtrack and star-making performance from Créton.

***(*)(*)Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 04/05/2012

This is a splendid, understated film, unsentimental and wholly without that kind of cynicism that passes for worldly wisdom. It's as precise and ultimately as undefined as life itself.

Philip French, The Observer, 06/05/2012

An honest, universal portrayal of early infatuation.

Omer Ali, Little White Lies, 03/05/2012


Features about Goodbye First Love (15)

Mia Hansen-Love: the broken heart that made me a film-maker

Jason Solomons, The Observer, 29/04/2012

Where and when?

Cameo, Edinburgh from Friday May 4, 2012, until Thursday May 10, 2012. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/

Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday May 4, 2012, until Sunday May 13, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/

Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday May 25, 2012, until Thursday May 31, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com

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