Watch Mars & Avril

Mars & Avril is a visually stunning sci-fi romance film released in 2012. Directed by Martin Villeneuve, the movie stars a brilliant cast that includes Jacques Languirand, Caroline Dhavernas, and Paul Ahmarani. The story is set in Montreal in the distant future, where humanity has advanced to the point of being able to travel to Mars. The main character, Jacob Obus (Jacques Languirand), is a renowned elderly musician who still performs on a unique instrument he calls a 'theremine'. The instrument is capable of producing otherworldly sounds and is modeled after the original instrument created by Leon Theremin.

Enter Avril (Caroline Dhavernas), a young and beautiful photographer who is fascinated by the music played by Jacob. She starts taking pictures of him during his performances and gradually develops a relationship with him. However, their courtship is complicated by Avril's relationship with her boyfriend Hugo (Paul Ahmarani), who is also Jacob's protégé.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the film takes place in a world where technology has advanced to the point of being indistinguishable from magic. There are flying cars, hoverboards, and other futuristic technologies that are seamlessly integrated into the background of the film.

The movie's stunning visual effects take center stage as we see the city come to life in a way that is both surreal and mesmerizing. The film's art direction is particularly impressive, with the city's buildings and landscapes transformed into futuristic Art Deco-inspired structures that seem to glow in the dark.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Avril and Jacob deepens, with Avril drawn to the older man's wisdom and perspective on life. Jacob, too, is captivated by Avril's youthful beauty and vigor, and the two become kindred spirits. However, their romance faces difficult challenges, including Hugo's jealousy and the fact that Jacob's advanced age means that a long-term commitment is unlikely.

Despite its futuristic setting, the movie's central themes are timeless. It explores the interconnectedness of love, creativity, and ambition, and how these pursuits can enrich or complicate our lives. It also raises philosophical questions about the nature of aging and mortality, and how our relationships change as we get older.

The film's soundtrack, composed by Benoît Charest, is another major highlight. The incidental music is hauntingly beautiful, and the live performances by Jacques Languirand on the theremine are breathtaking. The music serves to enhance the surreal and otherworldly vibe of the movie, transporting the viewer to a world that is simultaneously familiar and alien.

Overall, Mars & Avril is a remarkable film that deserves to be seen and appreciated by fans of science fiction and romance alike. Its stunning visual effects, imaginative world-building, and compelling characters make for a movie that is both thought-provoking and gorgeous to look at. Highly recommended!

Mars & Avril is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.