Love at First Fight

This French dramedy sheds light on the current European economic climate through the acerbic words and desperate actions of frustrated young middle-class adults. Director Thomas Cailley's Love at First Fight is set in a typical French suburb, where twentysomething woodworker Arnaud (Kévin Azaïs) toils on a variety of construction jobs with his demanding partner and brother. By chance, Arnaud finds himself caught up in a group wrestling match organized by local army recruiters who are trying to get their mitts on some young directionless cannon fodder. Arnaud squares off against tough but attractive tomboy Madeleine (Adèle Haenel), who puts him in a chokehold until he bites her. Madeleine is a well-educated but drifting loner with no goals in life except preparing for Armageddon—and Arnaud is clearly captivated. After numerous rejections from Madeleine, determined Arnaud finally decides to join her in a war games camp sponsored by the French Armed Forces. And here a major shift in the relationship begins as the film segues from a rom-com to one that tackles more darkly serious and dystopian themes. Recommended. (M. Sandlin)