Beating Hearts

Synopsis

Beating Hearts (original title: L'Amour ouf) is a 2024 romantic drama starring Adèle Exarchopoulos that explores the turbulent and passionate journey of love and self-discovery. Set against a vibrant backdrop, the film follows the intersecting lives of characters entangled in complex relationships, where desire, heartbreak, and hope collide. Through a blend of intense emotional moments and poignant storytelling, Beating Hearts delves into the intricacies of human connections and the lengths people go to find meaning in love. The narrative captivates audiences with its raw performances and visual intimacy, offering a contemplative look at the fragility and power of the heart.

Cast

• 

  Adèle Exarchopoulos

  Jackie

• 

  François Civil

  Clotaire

• 

  Mallory Wanecque

  Jackie (15 ans)

• 

  Malik Frikah

  Clotaire (17 ans)

• 

  Alain Chabat

  Le père de Jackie

• 

  Benoît Poelvoorde

  La Brosse

Reviews

Critical reception of Beating Hearts has been mixed, reflecting a divide between appreciation for its emotional ambitions and criticism of its execution. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 33% rating, indicating a generally unfavorable consensus among critics who often pointed to the story's uneven pacing and occasionally overwrought melodrama. However, some reviewers praised Adèle Exarchopoulos’s compelling performance, describing it as "raw and deeply affecting," bringing depth to an otherwise flawed narrative. IMDb users gave the film a moderately positive score of 7.3/10, suggesting that audiences found it engaging despite its imperfections. Metacritic's aggregate score of 50/100 reinforces the view that Beating Hearts delivers a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses, with critiques focusing on its scattered storyline and lack of narrative cohesion. For example, a reviewer from The Guardian noted, "While the film attempts to capture the chaos of love, it sometimes loses its emotional focus," whereas Screen Daily highlighted the "striking visual style and earnest performances, which partly redeem a somewhat uneven script." Overall, Beating Hearts is appreciated for its heartfelt intentions and lead acting but is viewed as a divisive piece that may resonate more with those drawn to character-driven romantic dramas.