Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno

Summer of youth, desire, and unforgettable first love.

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Synopsis

Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno, directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, is a sensual and contemplative coming-of-age drama set in the summer of the 1990s. The film follows Amin, a young aspiring screenwriter who returns to his hometown near the Mediterranean coast of France to reconnect with his friends and explore the complexities of love, friendship, and desire. Against a backdrop of sweltering summer days and nights filled with music and celebration, the story delicately captures the intimate, often unspoken emotions of youth as Amin navigates encounters that shape his understanding of life and relationships. The film is notable for its unhurried, observational style and authentic depiction of youthful longing and uncertainty.

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Reviews

Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno received mixed reviews from critics, reflecting its polarizing style and narrative approach. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 59% approval rating, indicating a split between appreciation for its aesthetic qualities and criticism of its pacing and length. Metacritic scores it 59 out of 100, categorized as mixed or average reviews. IMDb users gave it an average rating of 6.5/10, reflecting moderate audience appreciation. Critics praised Kechiche's ability to capture the raw atmosphere of youth and the naturalistic performances of the cast, especially Shaïn Boumedine in the lead role. However, many noted the film's extended runtime and slow pacing as detracting from engagement, with some finding the erotic and introspective scenes excessive. As Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian remarked, the film is "a languid, sometimes languorous exploration of youth and passion," not for everyone but rewarding for patient viewers. Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the "intimate visual style and deep character immersion," while acknowledging it can be "overlong and meandering." Overall, Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno appeals primarily to cinephiles interested in mood, atmosphere, and character study rather than a conventional narrative arc.