Film Review
Things have certainly moved on since
La Cage aux folles (1978) and
its ghastly stereotyping of gay men as outrageous mincing queens with a
penchant for cross-dressing. Homosexual relationships are no
longer the subject of ridicule or farce but an accepted part of our
social norm. French cinema, which has been traditionally conservative
in its depiction of minorities, looks as if has at last
embraced this fact (although it still has a lot of ground to make up
on the racism front). In this engaging first film, director Vincent
Garenq draws no distinction between gay and straight relationships and
makes an effective assault on the discriminatory French law which still
prevents gay couples from adopting children.
Comme les autres is a film
that negotiates a familiar landscape that is mined with cliché,
controversy and political correctness of the worst kind. That it
emerges pretty well unscathed is testament to Vincent Garenq's skill as
a writer and director, and also to the authenticity which the leads
(Lambert Wilson, Pilar López de Ayala and Pascal Elbé)
bring to their performances. Wilson (often cast in flamboyant roles)
is particularly convincing as the professional gay man who is torn between a perfectly
natural desire to rear a child and his need to sustain a loving
relationship with his long-term partner. The characters are all
realistically drawn and whilst several strands of the plot appear to
have been recycled from television soap operas, the film compels us to
sympathise with the plight of its protagonists.
Although there is plenty of humour along the way to lighten the mood,
there are also just as many moments of poignant introspection, reminding
us that the film is depicting a serious real-life issue, one that
impacts on many thousands of gay couples around the world today.
As with his subsequent judicial drama
Présumé coupable (2011),
Vincent Garenq tackles a sensitive subject with compassion and maturity,
the result being a human drama that genuinely does engage the emotions.
© James Travers 2010
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Film Synopsis
Emmanuel has everything a man could want. A good job, a nice apartment
and a steady relationship with the man of his dreams, Philippe. But there is one thing that
Emmanuel is missing in his life. He wants to become a father. Philippe
is opposed to the idea and reminds his partner that gay couples are not
allowed to adopt in France. Undeterred, Emmanuel is determined to realise his
dream, even though he may lose Philippe along the way...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.