NI UN, NI DEUX/ ONE ROLE FOR TWO

France, 2019, 98 minutes, Colour.
Mathilde Seigner, François-Xavier? Demaison, Arie Elmaleh, Marie- Anne Chazel.
Directed by Anne Giaferri.

This is a twins story, identical twins, but one of the twins not knowing who she really is, the other knowing. But, the twins are about to turn 45, 40 years of separation.

One of the best aspects of the film is the performance, or, rather, the performances by Mathilde Seigner as each of the twins. Initially we see the unpleasant, self-absorbed, celebrated actress, Julie. Then, Julie is approached by a lookalike, Laurette, a genial hairdresser from the provinces. While there are similarities, and, with the actress, identical lookalike, Mathilde Seigner is able to create quite different characters.

Julie is depressed about her profession, losing popularity and critical response, deciding to have her lips enhanced but the surgery preventing her from starting a new venture, a comedy, for which she is not talented. The brainwave, of course, is that Laurette take her place – and Laurette is the exact opposite, friendly towards everyone, successful in portraying comedy, and even falling in love with her script-writer chauffeur.

Julie has been adopted by her aunt whom she sees as her mother – and the intention has always been to tell Julie the truth but there has never been an opportunity. Ultimately, Julie comes to realise what has happened. Truth is told on a television interview with the two together and, in a pleasant twist, Julie finds her vocation as a hairdresser in the provinces and, of course, Laurette becomes the star.

1. A story of twins? Identical? But a story of middle age?

2. The Paris settings, apartments, the streets, cafes, film sets? The contrast with Aix-en Provence, the countryside, the streets, the hairdresser’s shop? The musical score?

3. Julie’s story? Turning 45, celebrated film star, her career, press conferences (and the diva about the tea)? Her agent of 20 years, relying on his opinions, few turning up for the screening of her arthouse film? Being depressed? Her relationship with her mother, her mother treating her as a little girl? Her concern about her appearance, the plastic surgery, her lips? Her reputation for being difficult? The suggestion she do a comedy?

4. With her agent, Laurette coming to see her, talk, the photo? Laurette, hairdresser, a daughter, knowing the truth, wanting to communicate the truth? Julie and her difficulty, the swollen lips, thinking of Laurette as her stand-in, her visit to Paris, the conversation, Julie’s decision to go ahead, Laurette agreeing?

5. Laurette, at the studio, being Julie, discovering the realities of filming, pleasant to everyone, her driver, script writer, the attraction, falling in love? The make-up girls liking her? The director, her scenes, her rehearsals with Julie and Julie’s criticisms? Her being herself, the success? Doing half the film?

6. Julie wanting to take over, haughty with people, the reaction of the make-up girls, the director and difficulties? The completion of the film? Her not wanting to celebrate?

7. The agent, his discovering the truth, keeping it quiet? His reacting Julie, never asking about his children? 20 years?

8. Laurette at home, the encounter with Julie’s mother? The truth? The parents killed in an accident? The twins, the decision as to who was more needy, Julie, Laurette adopted out? The mother and a decision when to tell Julie? The photo album?

9. The two, their appearances, manner, allergies, the toy rabbits…?

10. Julie and the driver, his misinterpreting, spending the night with her? Laurette arriving?

11. The make-up girl, looking in Julie’s phone, knowing the truth, the magazine article and photo? The two women, discussions, going to the television interview, Julie telling the truth?

12. Julie going to the provinces, hairdressing, the owner of the restaurant? Dating?

13. Laurette, her daughter going to Paris, her skill at acting, the agent, the driver, at the studio?

14. A pleasant riff on the twin’s story?