Revoir Julie Movie Review

『The Forgotten Feelings of 15 Years Ago, Rekindled Love Between Two Women』

🎥 Movie Overview

🎬 Title: Revoir Julie (1998) (English title: Julie and Me)
🌍 Country: 🇨🇦 Canada (Quebec)
🎞️ Genre: Drama / Romance / Queer
🗓️ Production & Release: Jeanne Crépeau Films, 1998, Feature Film
⏳ Runtime: 98 min
📢 Director: Jeanne Crépeau
🖋️ Screenplay: Jeanne Crépeau
📺 Platform: Limited availability on film festivals, DVD, and Vimeo

👩‍💼 Cast: Dominique Leduc as Julie
Stéphanie Morgenstern as Juliet

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

🕰️ Reunion and Self-Discovery After 15 Years

• Meaning of the Title: The French title “Revoir Julie” literally means “To See Julie Again,” referring not only to the central event of the film — the reunion — but also symbolizing a process of “re-seeing oneself (Revoir)” through rediscovered identity.
• Setting and Structure: Set in a rural village in Quebec, most of the film unfolds over the course of just two days, focusing almost entirely on the conversation and emotional connection between Juliet and Julie. It functions much like a two-hander drama — minimalist and dialogue-driven, evoking a theatrical atmosphere that draws the viewer deeply into their emotional transformation.

🌿 Core Narrative and Emotional Progression

The film opens with Juliet, recently recovering from a breakup, creating a personal “to-do” list for her life. The final item reads: “Revoir Julie (See Julie Again).”

1. The Reunion After 15 Years: Juliet and Julie were once best friends in school, but Juliet suddenly left after struggling with her hidden attraction toward Julie. Fifteen years later, Juliet travels to the countryside to find Julie again. Their reunion is awkward yet deeply moving.
2. Bridging the Gap: On the first day, they tentatively rebuild their bond, sharing what has happened in their lives since they last met. Their dialogue feels natural and grounded, and the chemistry between Dominique Leduc and Stéphanie Morgenstern creates an intimate and believable connection.
3. The Decisive Kiss: As night falls, Juliet can no longer suppress her emotions and kisses Julie. Shocked, Julie pushes her away, revealing that she was either unaware of Juliet’s past feelings or had not yet come to terms with her own queer identity.
4. Confession and Acceptance: The next morning, as Juliet prepares to leave, Julie begins to confront her own feelings — realizing that she may lose Juliet again. What begins as hesitation transforms into acceptance, as Julie acknowledges her own desires. The film closes with a hopeful, gentle resolution as the two women embrace their love.

🌈 “Delayed Desire” and “Awakening of Identity”

The film delicately portrays the story of a woman who comes to understand her sexuality later in life.

• Juliet: Having once fled from her unspoken love for Julie, her return is an act of courage — an attempt to confront unfinished emotions and finally embrace her true identity.
• Julie: Her initial rejection of the kiss implies that she has lived comfortably within heteronormative boundaries. Juliet’s reappearance acts as a catalyst for Julie to awaken feelings she had long buried or denied.

☀️ The Warmth of a Romantic Comedy

Unlike many lesbian films of the 1990s that leaned toward tragic or somber endings, Revoir Julie maintains a tone of warmth, purity, and gentle humor throughout.

• Minimal Conflict: The main tension lies in Julie’s internal conflict and a brief remark from Juliet’s mother showing homophobic prejudice. Rather than external opposition, the story centers on the joy of emotional rediscovery and the choice to love freely.
• True Healing: Juliet’s reunion is not only about romance but also about confronting and healing her past trauma and avoidance. Their love prioritizes mutual connection and happiness over societal judgment.

🖼 Avoidance of Explicit Depiction and the Poetics of Substitution

Director Jeanne Crépeau avoids clichés and explicit scenes, instead using visual art and poetic substitution to express her characters’ most intimate emotions — indirectly yet more powerfully.

• Omission of Sex Scenes and Climaxes: The most intimate moments between the two women — such as their implied lovemaking — are not shown. Instead, the camera lingers on objects like paintings or still-life compositions. This choice redirects the viewer’s focus from the physical act to the psychological and emotional resonance behind it.
• Symbolic Imagery: Paintings, photographs, and static landscapes act as emotional surrogates. Close-ups of art pieces or colors mirror the intensity of emotions that the characters themselves cannot articulate — passion, anxiety, longing, and desire.

Through this aesthetic, the film transforms a personal story of reunion into a universal reflection on memory, desire, and the passage of time.

Revoir Julie is a small yet precious gem of a film about two women rediscovering love and themselves after fifteen years apart. With its tender dialogue and introspective tone, it explores the journey of adult women embracing their queer identity — not with sorrow, but with warmth, humor, and humanity.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥♥
⭐ Overall Rating: ★★★★★