Watch Les Portes tournantes

Les Portes tournantes, a French-Canadian drama film from 1988 directed by Francis Mankiewicz, tells a haunting and melancholic story of three strangers whose lives intertwine in the shadows of a mid-19th century Montreal apartment complex. The film stars an incredible cast, including Monique Spaziani, Gabriel Arcand, and Miou-Miou. The movie opens with an older man named Gabriel (played by Arcand), a musician who has returned to Montreal after many years living abroad. He is staying in the apartment of an old friend, a poet named Paul, who has recently died. While staying in the apartment, Gabriel starts to become obsessed with a young woman he sees passing through the building's revolving doors every day.

The woman, named Lucy (played by Spaziani), is a struggling actress who works as a tour guide to make ends meet. She is chasing her dreams of making it big on stage but feels stuck in a dead-end job and a lackluster love life. Meanwhile, Gabriel is struggling with his own demons of insecurity and writer's block as he tries to reconnect with his estranged wife, Suzanne (played by Miou-Miou), who now lives in Montreal.

As the film progresses, the three characters' lives become increasingly intertwined. Gabriel becomes more and more fixated on Lucy, watching her from his apartment and following her around the city. Lucy is caught in a turbulent love triangle with two men, neither of whom seems to truly understand or appreciate her. Meanwhile, Suzanne struggles to connect with Gabriel and overcome her own fear of abandonment.

Les Portes tournantes is a gorgeously filmed, deeply atmospheric movie that captures the moody, brooding quality of Montreal in the wintertime. The city itself feels like a character in the film, with its dark alleys, snow-covered streets, and labyrinthine apartment buildings. Mankiewicz expertly uses light and shadow to create a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere that perfectly suits the film's haunting tone.

The performances in the movie are all top-notch, with each actor bringing a sense of depth and complexity to their role. Arcand is particularly good as the haunted, obsessive Gabriel, conveying a sense of profound sadness and longing through his quiet, understated performance. Spaziani is equally impressive as Lucy, bringing a sense of fierce determination and vulnerability to her portrayal of a woman struggling to make her way in a difficult world. And Miou-Miou shines as Suzanne, conveying a complex mix of emotions as she tries to reconnect with her estranged husband while also guarding her own heart.

Overall, Les Portes tournantes is a thoughtful, introspective film that asks important questions about the nature of love, longing, and the human condition. It is a movie that explores the beauty and the pain of life in equal measure, leaving a haunting impression on the viewer long after the end credits have rolled.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a thought-provoking, melancholic drama that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, then Les Portes tournantes is definitely worth checking out. With its stunning cinematography, nuanced performances, and haunting atmosphere, it is a film that will leave an indelible impression on anyone who watches it.