When her car breaks down on a quiet road, 40-something Irene (Yolande Moreau) meets Dries (Wim Willaert), a sweet, younger oddball and fellow free spirit who stops to help her fix it and quickly becomes smitten. He goes to see her one-woman show--a quirky, amusing take on love and relationships--and then goes again, following her and eventually traveling with her from town to town. Their relationship has a childlike innocence, but gradually, and almost without thought, the two begin a tender affair. Moreau does not have conventional movie star looks, and the straightforward portrayal of her sexuality is refreshing. Meanwhile, Willaert does an excellent job with a tricky role; Dries's single-minded affection might come off as unsettling in the hands of a lesser actor.
As much as either of the lead actors, the landscape of northern France is a major character. In addition to the hauntingly beautiful countryside and villages, the movie presents malls, highways, and massive industrial complexes. It’s a fascinating look at a region rarely seen by moviegoers. The plot is slight, but the film is more concerned with its characters and ideas, and as a compelling framework it is more than serviceable. Part love story, and part meditation on art and fantasy versus reality, WHEN THE SEA RISES manages to work a lot of ideas into its small, winning story.
