Cafe Au Lait
A Tasty French Blend
An interracial trio comes to grips with impending parenthood in Mathieu Kassovitz's (Gothika) audacious comedy inspired by Spike Lee. Lola, a beautiful West Indian woman, brings her two lovers together in a surprise meeting to announce that she is pregnant and doesn't know which one of them is the father. A Jewish bike messenger and a rich African Muslim immediately hate each other in a rivalry fueled by their racial conflict and jealousy. Despite their differences, they share an apartment with Lola as they enthusiastically await the blessed event.
Member Reviews
Warm and Light and Loving - Stitch
A reverse-stereotypical examination of two men of different cultures vying for the love of an unconventional Parisian lass of mixed parentage—who just happens to be pregnant by one or the other—or possibly neither. Mix a poor streetwise Jewish boy with a rich black Muslim diplomat’s son, and the stage is set for a mostly clever humorous debacle culminating in the maternity recovery room.
Along the way, there are some very amusing and frequently heartwarming bits. The treatment of racism is handled head-on in such an off-beat manner that we are entertained rather than offended. Because the basic humanity shines through, partly because Felix' family environment is supportive, not censorious. Unrealistic it may be, but it’s nice to sit in the sun occasionally and dream of what might be.
Mathieu Kassovitz as Felix deservedly won a Best Actor award at the 1993 Paris Film Festival. Julie Mauduech as Lola sympathetically captures the essence of love and relationships, the foundation of the story to which the other characters must respond. And the very brief scene between Felix’s grandmother and Lola is an expertly crafted depiction of generous compassion.
Will you enjoy it? Well, it's very loosely structured with caricatures galore and what some might consider an unrealistic story line. And mid-nineties young urban French culture is a distant cry from our environment. So if you have difficulty putting aside your analytical cinematic hat and preference for closure, then I’d suggest you skip it. But if your menu tonight is for feel-good vignettes liberally salted with humour and humanity, then relax and enjoy.
There are no offensive scenes inappropriate for younger viewers. However, the content and treatment are tailored to an adult audience...with tolerant tastes.
Member Reviews
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Warm and Light and Loving - Stitch
A reverse-stereotypical examination of two men of different cultures vying for the love of an unconventional Parisian lass of mixed parentage—who just happens to be pregnant by one or the other—or possibly neither. Mix a poor streetwise Jewish boy with a ...