"Titane" (2021 release from France; 108 min.) brings the story of Alexia. As the movie opens, Alexia as a very young girl is involved in a car crash, requiring a titanium plate in her head. We then move to today, and grown-up Alexia is dancing in a club featuring slick cars and where "touching is done with the eyes only". Late one night, Alexia gets into that sleek Cadillac, where she is twisted and twirled, naked. It's not long before she finds out that somehow she is pregnant... To tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out. Couple of comments: this is the second feature-length film from French writer-director Julia Ducourneau, who seduced us a couple of years ago with "Raw". Here she examines the impossible, namely what if a car somehow impregnates a women? It is the beginning of a long, strange journey into the fantastical. The less I say about the plot, the better. I will simply comment that the movie's ultimate direction is completely unexpected. To be clear: yes, there are a LOT of shocking scenes (I covered my eyes on a number of occasions) but look beyond all of the shock and gore, and it turns out this movie is about a love story unlike any you have ever seen, I am quite certain. I will readily admit that this movie pushed me out of my comfort zone, in the best possible way. None of this would be possible without the originality of director Julia Ducourneau. Where she dreams this stuff up, I have no idea. But the movie industry should be very thankful for someone like her. Kudos as well to Agathe Rousselle, who brings an amazing and bold lead performance as Alexia. Veteran French actor Vincent Lindon does quite well too. (Please note: there is a LOT of nudity in the film, so if that would bother you, please stay away from this film.) "Titane" premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where it promptly won THE top price (Palme d'Or). The movie was released in select US theaters this past weekend, and i couldn't wait to see it. The early Monday evening screening where I saw this at my local arthouse theater here in Cincinnati was not attended well (4 people in total including myself). It's very obvious that this movie isn't for everyone. But if you are in the mood for a top-notch foreign film that may well push you out of your comfort zone, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theatre (while you still can), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

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