Rust and Bone

French writer-director Jacques Audiard's Rust and Bone, which draws from a short-story collection by Canadian author Craig Davidson, presents a pair of individuals with a unique set of challenges. Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) arrives in coastal Antibes from Belgium with no money, no wife, and a 5-year-old son, so he goes to stay with his estranged sister and her wary husband. After securing a job as a bouncer, the former boxer extracts orca trainer Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard) from a fracas at a nightclub. Hoping to pursue a relationship, Ali gives Stéphanie his phone number, although she isn't available. But then a routine at the marine park goes horribly awry, and Stéphanie suffers a devastating injury; after being released from the hospital, she gives Ali a call. Seeing her again, Ali expresses no surprise or disappointment regarding her altered physical state, and his lack of judgment lifts her out of despair. Just as Ali starts to fight professionally again, Stéphanie returns to the water to begin a rebuilding process. In the months ahead, Stéphanie becomes even more independent, but fears that her life as a woman will never be the same—and it isn't, but Audiard turns this couple's unlikely romance into something truly touching. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Jacques Audiard and writer Thomas Bidegain, a “making-of” documentary (60 min.), deleted scenes with optional commentary (7 min.), a “VFX Breakdown” by the Mikros image company (3 min.), premiere footage from the Toronto International Film Festival, (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine film.] (K. Fennessy)