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Synonyms is an unconventional movie from director Nadav Lapid that tells the story of a young Israeli man named Yoav (Tom Mercier) who moves to Paris to start a new life. The film is a character study that explores questions of identity, nationality, and belonging. The movie opens with Yoav standing naked in an empty apartment in Paris. He has just arrived in the city and is determined to immerse himself in French culture and forget his past. Yoav is a complex character, he's simultaneously vulnerable and aggressive, and has a fierce determination to succeed in his new home.

Yoav is quick to adopt French culture and language, and tries to leave behind everything that reminds him of his Israeli identity. He throws himself into his new life, trying everything from imitating the mannerisms of his French friends, attending language classes, and even going to bathhouses. It's clear from the beginning that Yoav is a man who's very serious about his newfound life and identity.

The film's central themes revolve around identity and how to cope with it. Yoav's transformation from an Israeli to a French person is a metaphor that highlights the difficulties immigrants face when trying to adopt a new culture. He must navigate his way through this new world, with no family, no friends, and no job.

Tom Mercier's performance is outstanding, and he captures the essence of Yoav's character incredibly well. He showcases the different aspects of his personality with ease, and his portrayal is nuanced and subtle. Yoav's transformation is gradual, and he's always struggling to maintain his sense of self.

The other two leads in the movie, Quentin Dolmaire and Louise Chevillotte, play Emile and Caroline, Yoav's friends in Paris. Emile is a struggling writer who is full of self-doubt, while Caroline is a confident and successful artist. The two characters are an interesting match for Yoav, as they're both French, and they represent different aspects of French society. Emile is a poor, struggling artist, while Caroline is a successful, wealthy one. The movie's portrayal of these two characters shows how French society functions, and how people from different backgrounds can live in the same place but have vastly different experiences.

The cinematography in Synonyms is exceptional, and it showcases the beauty of Paris. The film's use of colors and lighting is striking, and it's clear that Lapid has a deep understanding of the city. The camera work is energetic, and it moves around constantly, giving the film an almost frenetic feel, which matches Yoav's character.

The movie's score is also worth noting, as it's used sparingly and effectively. The music heightens the tension in the film's more intense moments and provides a calming presence in its quieter moments.

Synonyms is a hard movie to pin down, as it's both a character study and a critique of French society. It's a movie that explores themes of identity, nationality, and belonging, and it does so in a way that's both serious and playful. The film's portrayal of Yoav is complex, and it's clear that Lapid has a deep understanding of the struggles that immigrants face when trying to integrate into a new society.

Overall, Synonyms is a thought-provoking movie that examines the intricacies of identity in a fascinating way. Its depiction of Paris is beautiful, and Tom Mercier's performance is outstanding. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the immigrant experience.

Synonyms is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 84.