Ensemble, c’est tout (2007) - film review

Camille, a confused woman in her early twenties, decides to rebel against her cosy middleclass background.  She finds work as a cleaner and rents a tiny attic flat.  One day, she meets one of her neighbours, Philibert, a shy young man who gave up his studies and now earns a meagre living by selling postcards.  Philibert shares his large apartment with a lodger, Franck, who is preoccupied with looking after his elderly grandmother, Paulette.  Philibert invites Camille to move into his apartment, and this immediately creates ructions.  Franck’s initial hostility towards Camille soon dissipates, however, and the two become lovers, while Philibert takes up drama classes in an attempt to overcome his stammer.  Together, the three friends discover the happiness they thought they would never see...

French film director Claude Berri ended his long and distinguished career on an optimistic note, with this adaptation of Anna Gavalda’s bestselling novel, a modest film that shows the value of friendship in a world where people find it increasingly hard to find satisfaction in their lives.  Although it is somewhat simplistic in its portrayal of relationships and tackles some important issues (such as the how the young relate to the old) too lightly, Ensemble, c’est tout is one of those films that is instantly likeable and makes a respectable swan song for one of France’s most highly regarded filmmakers.  

And it has a great cast.  Audrey Tautou still hasn’t quite managed to get beyond her sweet girl "Amélie" persona but her performance is engaging enough and she works well with her co-star Guillaume Canet, although both actors clearly deserve more challenging work than they are given here.  As good as these two stars are, both are virtually out-shone by the supporting actors Laurent Stocker and Françoise Bertin, who each plays a more complex and fragile character with poignancy, conviction and some humour.  

Ensemble, c’est tout is by no means masterpiece.  The characterisation veers towards the superficial, the story is banal and predictable, and the style feels somewhat dated.  However, Berri’s astute direction and the sympathetic performances from a talented cast make it something special - a charming little film that dares to look on the bright side of life.

© filmsdefrance.com 2009

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