Originally published in Belleville News-Democrat in March 2012
What It’s About: First-time parents Romeo (Jeremie Elkaim) and Juliette (Valerie Donzelli) perplexed by their young son’s behavior, finally learn the truth: Adam has a malignant brain tumor. Their journey through the years of this ordeal are matter-of-factly presented, with some touches of levity and music sequences. They vow to be strong, thus declaring war on illness and on complacency.
Performances: Donzelli and Elkaim are two good-looking performers, and with a striking tenacity and heartfelt emotion, they put their all into this story — it is their own. They co-wrote the screenplay based on their personal experience with their son Gabriel. They’re so believable as a couple that it was a little shocking to find out afterwards that they are no longer together.
What Works: By focusing on the parents’ nightmare, you feel their fear, worry, relief and intense love for their child and each other. They understand the realities of coping with a stressful situation and how it takes a toll on their lives, and it shows in this film’s accuracy. Exasperated by dealing with medical personnel, conflicting answers, and just the rollercoaster of hospital stays is another strong element. This isn’t a sappy soapy movie — this grabs your heart and takes it for a ride.
What Doesn’t Work: European filmmaking doesn’t have the gloss of American movies, so you’re getting a grittier portrait, with low lights and lots o’ smoking cigarettes. But that’s miniscule criticism. Because it plays out like a docu-drama, Donzelli goes out of her way to put escapism touches throughout — some are poignant, others are superfluous. However, her unique perspective makes the entire thing ring true. The film was a finalist for Best Foreign Film nominees by the Academy Awards, and also selected for Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals.
MOVIE INFO
Stars: Three
Starring: Valerie Donzelli, Jeremie Elkaim
Director: Valerie Donzelli
Rated: Not rated; in French with English subtitles
Length: 1:40
Venhaus Creative 