Papa (2005) - film review

A middle-aged man is driving his car down the highways of rural France, unhurried and seemingly without aim.  His companion is a young boy who seems to being enjoying the adventure of the open road, except that he occasionally asks the strangest of questions.  A father and his son.  Where are they going?  What sadness do they share, and will they ever be cured of it?

This second feature from director Maurice Barthélémy is a typically French take on the “Road Movie” concept, whose defining characteristics are minimalism and near-the-knuckle realism.  The film’s slow pace and sparse narrative is off-putting at first, but its strange allure (and some quiet moments of genuine poignancy) soon draws the spectator in, and ultimately it impresses as a deeply moving, skilfully understated piece of drama.

Alain Chabat is far better known for playing comic roles than straight dramatic roles but in this film he demonstrates a surprising talent for the latter, although his contribution is very nearly eclipsed by the delightful Martin Combes, who plays the traumatised boy Louis with an understanding and sensitivity way beyond his years.   Papa is a thoughtful and stirring meditation on fatherhood and the unbreakable bond between a father and his son.

© James Travers 2007

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Alain and Martin are great... Chabat est hyper-surprenant dans son jeux: il est irrésistible.  C’est un Grand sur un sujet comme ça.  Superbe.  Le sujet est traité le plus délicatement possible et c’est la rebellion du père contre les culs serrés qui domine.  Le film est rempli de gens que l’on n’aimerait pas rencontrés et d’autres dont les petits gestes anodins et la gentillesse naturelle permettent de conserver un peu d’espoir sur le genre humain.  Dans des moments comme celui du contexte du film, ces petits gestes prennent une importance démesurée pour le Papa qu’est Alain Chabat.  Bon, de toute façon je suis inconditionnel de Chabat.  Maurice Barthélemy prouve qu’il est un Grand lui aussi.  Vivement le prochain film!
Bruno (France) 

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