To describe this film’s plot in writing is one of the biggest challenges I have come across as a film reviewer. Titane begins with moments that are either tragic or uncomfortable. None of these moments quite make sense and are unexplainable and bizarre.
We learn during the film’s opening that a tragic accident occurred to a young girl named Alexia. Alexia was sitting in the back seat of a car while her father was driving, and the accident had tragic and permanent consequences. Presently, Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) is now a fully grown adult working as a dancer and carrying several dark secrets. The darkest of these secrets is that she is a serial killer, possibly out of frustration and anger, perhaps at her current life or past. But soon, Alexia is forced to go on the run and go to great lengths to change her identity. The question is, will her secrets ever surface in her new life?
During the first act, I honestly questioned if I would cope with this film. It’s heavy, dramatic, tense, violent and contains high amounts of nudity. The first act also has many moments that felt vague and could be challenging to accept for some viewers. Once the first act passes, the film changes dramatically, and I found myself rather engaged on a new level. Titane is a film that requires patience from its audiences, and it’s highly rewarding for those who can wait for the film to get underway. I was impressed by how much emotion this film could evoke, even before the core of its story was revealed.
The cinematography here is wonderful and impressive. There are strong elements of emotion, drama, thriller, suspense, and tension all captured perfectly. There are many genres involved here, and thanks to the film being constantly unpredictable, I honestly didn’t know what to expect next or how I could prepare for the next big surprise or heartfelt moment. Even if the film doesn’t make sense at times, I was still drawn in and committed to seeing it to the end. The performance by lead actress Agathe Rousselle is brilliant, and I was left speechless by her performance alone. Supporting actor Vincent Lindon was also tremendous, and he delivered many moments that were heartfelt and raw.
Overall, going into this film, I knew very little about it. Titane is easily one of the strangest, bizarre, and unsettling films of the year, but it’s also one of the best film’s I’ve seen thanks to its level of tension, drama, and unpredictability. The story is bundled with wonderful visuals and solid performances, which I found myself admiring. Not everything on the screen will make sense, and some viewers will struggle with the high level of tension, violence, and nudity. Still, those who see this film will discover everything on the screen will hook you, touch you and provide an experience that is truly rare to see in cinemas.
9.2/10
24th November 2021
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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