There’s something delicious about the beginning of a relationship. Whatever way it starts, each meeting is inimitable, as unique and unpredictable as the feelings themselves. For many, it’s the fleeting moment of a number exchanged in a nightclub or a simple swipe on a dating app that changes everything for the better… or worse. For a lucky few, however, it’s the blissful surprise of a serendipitous meeting in the most unlikely of places that has become the foundation of rom-coms the world over.
At first glance, Sébastien Betbeder’s 2 Autumns, 3 Winters,is a classic of the genre, albeit one imbued with an addictive sense of naive optimism and quirky character asides, reminiscent of French New Wave cinema. Having reached the ripe old age of 33, complete with receding hairline and a questionable sense of fashion, Arman (Vincent Macaigne) decides that he has arrived at a day of revelation: now is his chance to finally quit smoking, find a decent job and commit to regular exercise. Sound familiar? His art school buddy and wingman, Benjamin (Bastien Bouillon) is by his side with words of encouragement, and together the two navigate the seasons of single life in Paris and the inevitable series of existential crises that come with being 30-something.
While most of us have to wait a significant amount of time to reap the rewards of our own day of revelation, if they ever come, for Arman all it takes is a quick jog around the park and a perfectly timed collision with gallery worker and aspiring art writer, Amélie (Maud Wyler) to turn his world upside down. Don’t meet-cutes just make finding romance look so easy?
The ultimate bromance. Source: UFO Distribution
Amélie is 27 (and a half), hates her name and is, unbeknown to Arman, six months into dating a self-centred DJ that subjects her to tedious conversation and orders ridiculous desserts. She is undoubtedly in the midst of her own quarter-life crisis and Arman is smitten. So, Arman does what any sensible, lovestruck person would do: rushes home, dons a matching Adidas tracksuit, and proceeds to spend his weekend doing laps around the park, hoping to bump into Amélie again. When his hopes appear to be in vain, Arman is forced to accept that he and Amélie were just not meant to be.
As with all great rom-coms, however, this is not the end of the story. Though he is an unlikely hero, when Arman is cycling home from a night out, lost in the music of Michel Delpech, a scream interrupts his reverie, and a single moment changes everything once again. At the end of the dimly lit alleyway, he finds an abandoned Amélie, two thieves and a knife to the stomach. After a dramatic race to hospital and a morphine-induced chat with his dead father, Arman finds himself faced with the realisation that Amélie could be ‘the one’. He just has to ask her out first.
Before Arman gets a chance to put his plan into motion, and consult his friend about ‘approach tactics’, Benjamin is struck down by a stroke. A night face down in a laurel bush and a conversation with a heartless cat later, and the cruel irony of Benjamin’s situation becomes apparent. Just as Arman is about to leave hospital, Benjamin begins his long journey of rehabilitation inside the same walls, armed with his signature brand of humour and the occasional message from his eccentric telepathic sister Lucie. Once assured that his friend will be okay, Arman turns his attention to the question of asking Amélie out and settles on an autumnal dinner date of vegetarian lasagne and copious amounts of red wine.
Time never stands still long enough. Source: UFO Distribution
It’s the kind of first date that makes the rest of dating worth it, and the two have an undeniable connection that is heart-warming to watch. Time changes everything, however; as Arman puts it himself, it never stands still long enough. As the film continues, and two autumns and three winters pass, this moment feels like a distant memory as life gets in the way and Arman, Amélie and Benjamin must each make sense of their past and figure out who they truly are.
While Arman’s vegetarian lasagne was enough to woo Amélie, you’re going to need to step it up if you want to your own first date to be a success. These Portobello Peach Burgers hero the same humble mushroom, but with a little added sweetness, and when combined with the many sweet moments on screen, tick all the boxes for the perfect date night. Open that special bottle of red wine, light a few candles and enjoy each delicious moment. If that doesn’t sound like the start of a modern fairy tale, we don’t know what does.
These portobello peach burgers are made for first dates. Source: Johanna Frenkel
