Film Review
In this dark comedy-drama, writer-director Dominique Cabrera tackles
a subject that is rarely dealt with in cinema, post-natal depression,
and shows us how harrowing this fairly common condition can be, not just for mothers who
have recently given birth, but for their immediate entourage.
Cabera cut her directing teeth by making a series of documentaries in the 1980s
and early 1990s, and she brings a similar sur-le-vif quality of realism to her film.
Hers is a distinctive style of
cinéma vérité
which involves some abrupt editing and skilful use of the hand-held camera to draw us
into her protagonists' confused and uncertain world.
Whilst
Le Lait de la tendresse humaine effectively conveys
the trauma of baby blues it is somewhat less rewarding as piece of drama
than some of Cabrera's previous films, such as her arresting
immigration-themed drama
L'Autre côté de la mer (1997).
The acting is also a little patchy, the strong central performances
from Patrick Bruel (rarely better than he is here)
and Maryline Canto not being matched by the contributions
from the supporting cast. Bizarrely, the latter includes
several big name French actors (Olivier Gourmet, Sergi López, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, to
name just three) in a somewhat gratuitous array
of cameo appearances which undermines the film's credibility somewhat.
© James Travers 2004
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
Not long after giving birth, Christelle walks out of the family home and
after wandering about blindly persuades a neighbour she has never spoken
to before to take her in. The neighbour, Claire, is naturally concerned
by this unexpected intrusion but she hasn't the heart to send the visibly
distraught woman away. Instead, she allows Christelle to stay with
her until she feels well enough to return home. Her boyfriend Serge
isn't quite so sympathetic and makes it clear that he wants the seemingly
unhinged stranger out of his home. Meanwhile, Christelle's husband
Laurent is going out of his mind. Barely able to cope with the baby
and his other two children, he tries in vain to find his wife, but no one
knows where she is. It seems that Laurent will have to wait until Christelle
is ready to return to him...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.