On this page: DE GAULLE: RESISTANCE | FRANZ | JUST AN ILLUSION

< < F O R E I G N > >

As de Gaulle, Abkarian delivers a superbly determined performance, honing in on stubborn obsessions like refusing to fire on a Frenchman, even if they are in opposition. But even with his stiff physicality, we can see his underlying emotions. This adds both humour and fire to his prickly scenes with Beale's blustery Churchill. Lesieur's fresh-faced turn as Fernand is thoroughly engaging, and Magimel shines as Free France's General Koenig, whose outrageous last stand in North Africa powers the film's second half.

This is a sharply well-observed historical drama, centred around a singular figure who refused to quietly go along with what was happening around him. It's a film we watch rather than experience, admiring people who stood up for their principles. But it resonates in a few smaller, charged moments when the characters are grappling with what they should do in an impossible situation. Even then, the scope of world events is never out of view. So it will be interesting to see if the second film gets deeper under the skin.

themes, language, violence

15.Aug.26

Depicted as clearly somewhere on the spectrum, Weiss ably conveys Franz's curiosity and likeable innocence. Everyone sees him as a quirky genius except his perpetually disappointed father, played with nuance by Kurth. Dongres and Klan are terrific as the younger Franz. Bokova, Schuler and Shermuly have terrific presence as the women in his life, while Stark has the most sustained presence as the sharp, supportive Ottla. She reminds Franz that he asks himself questions all day, but never wants to hear the answers.

It's impossible to find a takeaway from this film, because it jumps around so much, touching on the jarring scope of early 20th century European history, literature and philosophy. But there are superb threads that explore father-son connections, romantic insecurities and the inadvertent nature of a great writer's legacy. Kafka's work is occasionally dramatised with extraordinary detail, which oddly reminds us that written words are exponentially more impactful than films. Even ones as haunting as this.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

11.Aug.26

The film astutely captures the struggles of life for a normal family, although everything is heightened as seen through Vincent's perspective. So the actors have a lot of fun with their roles. Cottin and Garrel are superb as his frazzled but over-concerned parents. And Boublil holds his own at the film's centre, playing Vincent as a smart but somewhat naive kid who is working things out. The cast around him is also excellent, adding colour and energy at every turn.

Much of the dialog is raucously funny, a barrage of witty overlapping banter that's sometimes tricky to keep up with. It emerges straight from the characters, offering terrific points of connection as each person grapples with the specific craziness the world is throwing at them. So the film becomes a nice reminder that everyone is going through their own personal drama. And sometimes it's best if we just get out of the way.

themes, language

29.Jul.26