A 'Very Engaging' love story

Compared to other World War I epics such as "Paths of Glory" and "All Quiet on the Western Front," Jean-Pierre Jeunet's recent entry, "A Very Long Engagement," holds its own in the arena. Whereas the aforementioned dramas focus on stories of soldiers and their frontline dramas, "Engagement" offers another take on the era, seen through the eyes of two forlorn lovers. \nThe story centers on a young woman, played aptly by Audrey Tautou (of "Amélie" fame), in search of a lost love she believes is still living even though he has been missing for three years. He was forced to leave his regiment as a result of a self-inflicted injury -- a scenario common on the frontlines of WWI when soldiers felt egregious injury or death would be a more kind sentence than trench warfare. \nThrough the quest, director Jean-Pierre Jeunet and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel create a world of visual imagery so vivid and beautiful, we are reminded of sepia-toned photographs of the past and are aware of the time period in which the story is set. The film was nominated for Best Cinematography at this year's Academy Awards ceremony, and many critics have said this aspect of the film is what makes it worth seeing. \nThe cinematography is comparable with that of "Amélie," Jeunet's previous work also starring Tautou. Tautou is very good in this role, though that spontaneous pixie-like aura she personified in "Amélie" is absent from this work, which requires a much more somber portrayal. The cast does an excellent job of relaying mood of the time period, especially Marion Cotillard who plays Tina in a subplot where a young woman seeks revenge on the people who killed her soldier lover. The annoying intrusion of American actress Jodie Foster gives the viewer somewhat of a startle, but her performance is easily overlooked. \nWhile the love story is involving, Jeunet has an understanding of the horrors of war and splices historical accuracy with his lost love narrative. When the soldier Manech (Gaspard Ulliel) is condemned for injuring himself, he is sent to "No Man's Land" with fellow comrades. This expulsion mirrors real-life events, where soldiers who committed this crime were forced to make their way through neutral territory; most were shot by enemy forces upon traveling through these territories. This amounted to a type of slow death sentence, and its atrocity is not lost on Jeunet. \nThe weaknesses in "Engagement" can be summed up easily, mostly amounting to slow pacing and some badly placed flashbacks to summarize how the two lovers met. These seem like an obligatory addition, and aren't of much use to the narrative. \nHowever common wartime love stories have become, "Engagement" is an addition to the genre that will be worth the time it takes to watch and many viewers will be awestuck by the amazing visual accomplishments.