Thirteen Days of Love: A bit of a mood piece

Is this worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much patience you have for old melodrama. If you like films that feel like they’re unfolding in a dim, smoke-filled room, you’ll dig this. But if you’re looking for a plot that moves at anything faster than a leisurely crawl, you’re gonna be bored to tears within twenty minutes.

It’s not for everyone. The whole thing feels like it was shot under a wet blanket, which is either perfectly moody or just plain gloomy, depending on your vibe that night.

Eva is the center of this mess. She’s got this naval officer, Jean, who is basically the definition of 'good on paper.' Then there’s Dario. Dario is a smuggler. He’s the bad decision you make at 2 AM. You can see the exhaustion on her face every time she has to pivot between them.

There’s this one scene where she’s staring out a window, and the light hits her just right, but then it lingers—I mean, it really lingers. It goes on so long I started wondering if the projector got stuck. It’s that kind of movie.

I couldn’t help but think about how much this reminds me of the pacing in The Hushed Hour. There’s that same sense that the silence is doing more work than the dialogue. It’s quiet. Maybe a bit too quiet.

The smuggler character, Dario? He’s pure trouble. The way he walks into a room makes you want to check your pockets for your wallet. It’s a very specific kind of sleaze that you don’t see much anymore.

The decline of Eva isn't some big, explosive tragedy. It’s small. It’s the way she stops fixing her hair or forgets to look at Jean when he’s talking. It’s those little, tiny betrayals of the self that hit harder than any shouting match.

There’s a weird, jagged edge to the editing that feels almost like a mistake. Scenes cut off just when you think someone is about to say something important. It’s jarring. I kind of liked it, though. It keeps you on your toes because you never quite know when the camera is gonna jump to the next thing.

It lacks the sharp, polished finish of later dramas, but that’s exactly why it feels real. It’s messy. It’s imperfect. It’s just a person losing their grip on a Tuesday, or whatever day it is in this world. 🌊

If you liked the vibe of Man's Desire, you might find something to latch onto here. It’s got that same lingering, slightly uncomfortable energy. Just don’t expect to walk away feeling good about anyone involved.

• The lighting in the cafe scenes is surprisingly moody.
• Eva’s wardrobe is distractingly good.
• The ending is... well, it’s abrupt. Just like real life, I guess.

Anyway, keep your expectations low and your coffee strong. It’s an interesting little watch if you’re in the mood for something a bit dusty and sad. 🎞️