Film Review
Sam Karmann's eagerly awaited follow-up to his popular comedy
Kennedy et moi (1999) is this
slick urban thriller which stays with the theme of mid-life crisis,
but from a completely different perspective. This is a film which
effectively combines elements of modern film noir and social drama to
probe the limits of friendship in an increasingly fractured and
individualistic society. Karmann co-scripted the film with
Désir Carré, whose real-life experiences provide the
basis for the story and doubtless contribute to the film's startling
authenticity. Carré and Karmann first met many years
ago when (along with Jean-Pierre Bacri) they earned a meagre crust
working as café waiters.
Arguably Karmann's best film to date,
À
la petite semaine offers a convincing portrait of life on the
margins, with well-drawn and believable characters struggling to drag
themselves out of the mire of social deprivation. The film would
be unbearably depressing were it not for the light touch that Karmann
and Carré bring to it, with some streaks of humour that lend a
sense of optimism to offset at least some of the gloom. Although
the film is strong on just about every front (the directing and editing
are particularly laudable), what makes it so memorable are the
extraordinary contributions from its three principal players.
Gérard Lanvin, Jacques Gamblin and Clovis Cornillac show us three
contrasting facets of desperation through their devastatingly convincing
portrayals of three hopeless losers caught in the existential vortex of
mid-life crisis. Cornillac's performance is worth singling out
for special praise; it is a truly harrowing experience to watch his
character's Teflon-coated outer shell disintegrate under a relentless
barrage of shocks and setbacks, to reveal the terrified, utterly
desperate child beneath.
À
la petite semaine is a sobering yet tongue-in-cheek reminder
that life for many is not a long and happy pleasure jaunt, but a
constant struggle to survive.
© James Travers 2010
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Film Synopsis
Having served a five year stretch in jail, fifty-something Jacques
returns to his old friends in Saint-Ouen, hoping to make a fresh
start. Like Jacques, Didier and Francis are struggling to make a
living and have been drawn into petty crime just to keep their heads
above water. Whilst Francis attempts to better himself by taking
drama lessons, Didier is unable to break his gambling addiction.
On learning that Jacques and Didier have involved themselves with a
gang of notorious jewel thieves, Jacques is appalled, but should he
risk another spell in prison to help them...?
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.