i wish i could find something good about this film but hela . i really tried hard watch it at different time but still and it almost unbearable to watch . i really envy non french speaker who may then not be affect by the terrible acting ( but the script be basically awful so the actor may not be totally responsible ) . this film be discontinue and the storyline be either too slow or too fast and no identification with the character be possible and it just uncanny . the actor seem to recitate their part with no emotion ( deneuve have such a monotonous and unconvincing tone of voice . vincent perez be very good look but truly have no talent whatsoever ) . everything happen abruptly with no real continuity and the editing be appal . we do not see that much of the vietnam either and these bit of history do nothing for the film . what this film lack above all be depth and it just go in different direction with no coherence . bit of this and bit of that and i find hard to believe this film get an award for the best foreign film . the landscapes maybe . i certainly would recommend the lover inspire by marguerite dura novel of the same name as well a film like cyclo or the scent of the green papaya . a different aspect of the vietnam but far more interesting .