Le Lait de la tendresse humaine (2001) - film review

Unable to cope with a severe bout of post-natal depression, Christelle abandons her new-born baby and her family home and turns to a neighbour she has never spoken to before.  That neighbour, Claire, is upset by this intrusion but feels bound to offer the distraught woman shelter until she recovers.  Her boyfriend, Serge, is less sympathetic.  Meanwhile, Christelle’s husband, Laurent, is sent into a panic when he finds that his wife is missing...

In this dark comedy-drama, Dominique Cabrera tackles an important issue – that of post-natal depression – with sincerity and insight.  The film goes some way to conveying the distress this condition brings to its victim and those around her, although Cabrera’s excessive cinéma vérité technique does not make this an easy film to watch.  The hand-held camera is a brilliant tool for bringing a sense of panic and energy to the film but here it is simply overused and weakens the narrative flow.  The film also feels painfully uneven – its dramatic highs are diluted by languorous long takes which divert us from the central narrative for no apparent reason.  However, the film’s greatest sin is its cast list.  The presence of so many big name actors - some in no more than cameo appearances – greatly undermines the film’s dramatic impact and prevents the spectator from developing much of an empathy with the principal characters.  And this is in spite of some very credible performances – notably from Patrick Bruel and Maryline Canto.

© James Travers 2004

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