Synopsis:

Primary school teacher Antoinette (Laure Calamy) is elated about her upcoming vacation with her married lover, Vladimir (Benjamin Lavernhe), but their plans are upended when his wife books a surprise hiking trip. On an impulse, Antoinette heads to the same mountainous region of the Cévennes National Park, with an itinerary inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1878 memoir Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes. Completely unversed in the ways of the wilderness, Antoinette forges quick bonds with an idealistic innkeeper (Marie Rivière, Eric Rohmer’s The Green Ray) and several other offbeat fellow travelers.

We immensely underestimate how intelligent animals regularly are. Every day there are videos uploaded to the internet and we all seem surprised by the feats that we witness. However, just like human children, we don’t give animals enough credit. They raise families, communicate with others, have their own sets of rules and traditions, and are emotionally intelligent. We have to get out of the mindset that we’re smarter because we can talk and have opposable thumbs. Hell, domestic animals are almost bilingual. Plus without weapons, most animals over 80 pounds could take us out if they wanted to. Don’t think too highly of yourself because that dog might be your pet, but you pay their rent, buy their food, and pick up their poop—who’s really the smart one?

“I didn’t come for the right reasons.”

You already know the right answers, you just might need a new furry friend to help you realize them. Directed by Caroline Vignal, My Donkey, My Lover & I is a charming journey of self-discovery and perilous passion. Taking place during a six-day hike, this is a story where the crux of the narrative is the idyllic outing rather than where it ends. Originally titled Antoinette dans les Cévennes, the French film is funny, smart, and a delightful watch. Uncover the laughs, but stay for love and the catastrophic drama.

Completely in over her head and out of her element, as our protagonist Antoinette is someone that may initially come off as a somewhat unlikable person, there is growth and actualization during her wandering that we can all relate to. Moreover, while the story is a subtle comedy, there’s a simplistic elegance that allows the film to highlight the benefits of symbiotic relationships between humans and animals. Additionally, the human-animal relationship that evolves between Antoinette and Patrick the donkey is what makes this story special. As the journey begins with frustration, stubbornness, and treacherous yet loving intentions, it quickly becomes one of introspection and confrontation. Lessons are learned from unexpected places. The film is awkward, humorous, and accompanied by some heartfelt moments. As Patrick can be interpreted as a metaphor for baggage, its themes of lust, identity, loneliness, and companionship leave plenty to unpack. The quirky score births a Curb Your Enthusiasm-esque ambiance as the intimate cinematography thrusts you into the one-sided repartee. My Donkey, My Lover & I is a highly entertaining and surprisingly fun experience. Its rewatchability is high.

Laure Calamy as Antoinette in “MY DONKEY, MY LOVER & I”, a film written and directed by Caroline Vignal.

Pacing & Pop

One would think that with a story that is about the trek rather than its final resting point, its pacing would be rather slow. However, even as the story explores the decisions and personality of Antoinette, it moves at a somewhat brisk pace. What popped for me was the relationship between Antoinette and the donkey. There are some truly entertaining moments with Patrick the donkey.

From left to right: Louise Vidal as Alice, Benjamin Lavernhe as Vladimir, Laure Calamy as Antoinette, and Olivia Côte as Eléonore in “MY DONKEY, MY LOVER & I”, a film written and directed by Caroline Vignal.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Laure Calamy, Olivia Côte, Benjamin Lavernhe, Louise Vidal

Laure Calamy delivers an inviting and beguiling performance. As the audience, we get to feel like a fly on the wall, or in this case, a fly on the ass, to Antoinette’s true and uninhibited self. Even if you don’t exactly agree with what she is doing or her methods, as the film unfolds, you can’t help but want to see her come to her senses and succeed in some way.

My Donkey, My Lover & I is now playing in select theaters and will be on Prime and Apple TV on August 30, 2022.

Rated: N/A

Runtime: 1h 36m

Language: French

Director: Caroline Vignal

Writer: Caroline Vignal

Producers: Laetitia Galitzine, Aurélie Trouvé-Rouvière

Music: Matei Bratescot

Cinematography: Simon Beaufils

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50-OEvOuoyU]