Twice Upon A Time

Twice Upon A Time is a creative and profoundly thoughtful French miniseries showcased on Arte in 2019. The limited series, originally titled "Il était une seconde fois," was created by Guillaume Nicloux and written jointly by Nicloux and Nathalie Leuthreau. Entirely in French, the series comprises four episodes, each approximately an hour-long.

The unique title, Twice Upon a Time, dovetails perfectly with the show's unconventional narrative structure that gracefully merges fantasy, romance, and drama in a compelling manner. It makes a subtle play on the classic phrase "once upon a time," underscoring the show's exploration of love, loss, and the concept of revisiting past events - thus, the twist of 'twice.'

Although cloaked in an aura of mystery, the series provides an intimate, nuanced examination of love, painstakingly exploring the mechanisms of a relationship, heartbreak, and the human capacity to heal and hope. It paints a poignant picture of human emotions, memories, and the potentially destructive obsession with the past.

The series stars Gaspard Ulliel as Vincent Dauda, who remains ensnared in the convoluted web of heartbreak a year after his devastating breakup with his long-term girlfriend, Louise Arron, played by Freya Mavor. When he receives a mysterious parcel, the ground beneath him shifts, unravelling an extraordinary adventure. The parcel, containing a peculiar object, gives him the power to time travel and revisit his love affair with Louise.

As he grapples with this newfound ability, Vincent is launched into a whirlpool of complex emotions and dilemmas. He resolutely plunges into the depths of his past, deliberately revisiting his relationship with Louise, descending into forgotten conversations, subtle disappointments, and shared moments of pure bliss. The pain, joy, and confusion of love are eloquently splattered across the screen as Vincent questions the very nature of love and human relationships, pushing him to go through each moment of his affair over and over again.

On the other side of the story, Louise is portrayed as an enigma, walking a fine line between fear and fascination. As the series progresses, the narrative beautifully weaves in her perspective, making stark observations about the difference in perception of a shared experience.

The series is not merely paraphrased as a romantic journey shadowed by the possibility of 'what ifs.' It is also a thoughtful rumination on human obsessions, particularly on the notion of getting a second chance to reedit the past. The narrative captures the existential dread of being trapped by past events and the lengths to which a person is willing to go to transform their past and, in the process, reshape their present - giving an edge of psychological drama to the romantic storyline.

The atmosphere created by the series is heavily seasoned with suspense, the ambiguity serving as the driving force that keeps the audience engaged. The amalgamation of sleek production design, ardent performances, and a carefully curated soundtrack further accentuates the series' ethereal quality.

Twice Upon A Time also brushes up against questions of identity, reality, and risks associated with the power to reshape one's destiny. The narrative toggles effortlessly between a troubled love story and a ground-breaking exploration of reality, masterfully encapsulating the gravity of a narrative that is far removed from the traditional love tale.

The technical aspects of the show are commendably executed, with atmospheric cinematography that capitalizes on moody lighting and striking set pieces. The minimalist aesthetic coupled with a cinematic finesse helps build an immersive viewing experience that transcends language barriers.

In summary, Twice Upon A Time is a peculiar concoction of love, loss, and time-travel, with an emotionally dense narrative that challenges convention and dares to steer into unexplored thematic territories. Through its complex characters, the show takes its audience on a journey that oscillates between relatable human emotions and the surreal elements of a passionately constructed narrative. It’s an incredibly compelling watch for those seeking something beyond the ordinary. With its earnest performances and profound script, Twice Upon A Time emerges as a bold and beautiful creation that leaves its viewers contemplating long after the credits roll.