Neuf mois (1994) - film review

Psychiatrist Samuel is unable to cope with the news that his girlfriend Mathilde is pregnant.  Meanwhile his artist friend Marc has left his wife because he cannot agree to start a family, whilst married couple Georges and Dominique learn that a fourth child is on the way.  Samuel and his girlfriend’s relationship is stretched to breaking point as Mathilde’s pregnancy takes its natural course…

The multi-talented Patrick Braoudé wrote, directed and starred in this anarchic comedy which somehow manages to make light of the most stressful nine months in any couple’s relationship.  Whilst some of the comic situations are painfully laboured (no pun intended) Braoudé shows great originality in both his writing and directing, making this a fast-paced comedy with an unusual flavour.

Annoyingly, the film is somewhat marred by some very silly slapstick, particularly in its last ten minutes.  This is just about made up for by some odd surrealist touches which you would not expect to find in a mainstream French comedy.  The film makes very few concessions to good taste, however.  If the intimate details of pregnancy we are shown doesn’t cause you to vomit over your popcorn, it could well put you off having children for life.  Maybe Patrick Braoudé’s intention was to solve the problem of birth control…?

This film was (predictably) followed by an American remake Nine Months (1995), directed by Chris Columbus with High Grant in the role of Samuel.  Typically, the original French film is marginally better than its remake.

© James Travers 2004

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