Beating Hearts (French: L’Amour ouf), directed by Gilles Lellouche, is a 2024 romantic drama film based on Neville Thompson’s 1997 novel Jackie Loves Johnser OK?. The story spans two decades, beginning in the 1980s in northern France, where Jackie, a studious girl from an upper-middle-class family, and Clotaire, a rebellious boy from a working-class background, fall deeply in love. Their relationship is tested when Clotaire’s involvement in crime leads to a 12-year prison sentence, separating the two lovers.

The film explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, juxtaposing the innocence of young love with the harsh realities of adulthood. As teenagers, Jackie (Mallory Wanecque) and Clotaire (Malik Frikah) share tender moments, but Clotaire’s volatile temper and entanglement with a local gangster, Mr. La Brosse (Benoît Poelvoorde), set the stage for tragedy. In adulthood, Jackie (Adèle Exarchopoulos) becomes a disillusioned party girl, while Clotaire (François Civil) transforms into a hardened criminal seeking revenge. Despite their separation, their connection remains profound, symbolizing two halves of the same heart.

Critics have noted the film’s ambitious scope and stylistic flair, including its vibrant soundtrack featuring 1980s and 1990s hits and its visually striking cinematography. However, the film has been criticized for its uneven pacing, overly long runtime (2 hours and 46 minutes), and a disjointed narrative that struggles to balance its dual timelines. The film’s multiple endings and excessive plot twists have also been points of contention.

Despite its flaws, Beating Hearts features strong performances, particularly from Wanecque and Frikah as the younger versions of the protagonists. The film’s exploration of love and violence, inspired by works like Romeo and Juliet, offers a poignant, if flawed, cinematic experience.