François Ozon is a director who’s films can be described as intensely atmospheric if nothing else. He enjoys a cult like following and dominates the French film industry in international sales and distribution. His latest film, “5×2″, while not as disastrous as the “painful to watch”, 8 femmes (2002), it is yet another style over substance Ozon production.

5×2 is a story of a marriage told in reverse. Five vignettes on the relationship of these two people are presented as the audience asks themselves, why would anyone begin a relationship which is doomed to end so badly. Unfortunately we don’t know the future and all too often there is a long journey between the beginnings of love and it’s collapse.

The movie begins with Marion and Gilles having the terms of their divorce read to them. After having signed the necessary papers they meet in a hotel room for “one last time”. Without giving away what transpires, we are definitely given the idea that Marion has been victimized throughout this marriage and that Gilles is the jerk of the century. What’s she doing with this guy anyway?? But let us not be so quick to judge and as the film progresses in reverse we see them having dinner with Gilles gay brother and his lover during a period where clearly the marriage is falling apart. We then go to the birth of their son, as Gilles freaks out about the premature birth for some unknown reason. Back in time again to their wedding and at last some clue begins to emerge as to where these troubles all began. I will only assure you that Marion is no angel and this breakup is more complex than simply it was his fault or it was her fault. The last vignette is their coming together. We Meet Marion recently out of a long term relationship and Gilles, still in one; though clearly it’s a relationship who’s days are already numbered.

Perhaps this film should come with a warning: do not go see this film if you are recently divorced or broken up from your girlfriend or boyfriend. Also do not see this film with your boyfriend or girlfriend if you want to stay together. Actually this is really a film that should only be screened by single people to make them feel better about not being in a relationship. It will give them a comforting feeling that they are missing nothing but heart ache.

As I said in the beginning, Ozon’s films are atmospheric and this one is no exception. The entire movie relies heavily on the unspoken tension between the two actors and both should be applauded for outstanding performances. Stéphane Freiss conveys his interpretation of Gilles brilliantly despite being given little to develop within this terribly thin script. Valeria Bruni Tedeschi is amazing as Marion and in particular the physical transformation of her entire body through the course of this film. Again I must criticize this script which leaves both these characters desperately underdeveloped. Yet this is a typical trait of an Ozone film. As in “Swimming Pool” (2003) there is much of the story the audience is challenged to fill in for themselves. This approach I have no problem with, however there is a point where a story can be presented so thinly it’s clearly suffering from anorexia. 5×2 is a good example of this.