Michel Boujenah is yet another established high-profile French actor to have turned his
hand to film directing fairly late in his career. This, his first work, is an amiable
mix of road movie and French comedy-drama centred on that perennial favourite, the dysfunctional
family. Generally, it's an entertaining piece, albeit a tad too predictable
and simplistic in parts. The film benefits most from its strong cast, which is headed
by the incomparable Philippe Noiret (an actor with a rare talent for making any character
he plays sympathetic and interesting). Pascal Elbé both stars in the film
(as one of the sons) and co-authored the script. Charles Berling needs no introduction,
but both Pascal Elbé and Bruno Putzulu deserve to be better known; all three actors
play off against each other to great effect, and each individually brings depth and humanity
to what might otherwise have been a pretty superficial film. All in all, a promising début
for a new director.
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Next Michel Boujenah film: 3 amis (2007)
Film Synopsis
Léo, a retired sales rep, brings together his three sons on his 70th
birthday in the hope of putting an end to years of estrangement. David,
the eldest son, runs a successful business in which he employs his younger
brother Simon in a mundane job. Max, the middle brother, has never
got on with his siblings and seems happy to just drift through life.
Léo's plans for a peaceful reconciliation are dashed when his three
sons come to blows in the course of his birthday party. Resorting to
subterfuge, he reveals that he has a life-threatening condition and must
soon undergo major surgery. Now that his days might be numbered, his
one wish is to see his sons settle their differences. Shocked by this
revelation, David and his brothers agree to accompany their father on a whale-watching
holiday in Canada. It seems that Léo's plan may work out better
than he had hoped...
Script: Edmond Bensimon,
Edouard Bensimon,
Michel Boujenah,
Pascal Elbé
Cinematographer: Patrick Blossier
Music: Michel Cusson
Cast:Philippe Noiret (Léo),
Charles Berling (David),
Bruno Putzulu (Max),
Pascal Elbé (Simon),
Marie Tifo (Mado),
Geneviève Brouillette (Hélène),
Pierre Lebeau (Jacques),
Jacques Boudet (Joseph),
Matthieu Boujenah (Julien),
Céline Thiou (Martine),
Eva Saint-Paul (Francine),
Franck Giordanengo (Le motard),
Nathalie Dherbey (L'infirmière),
Joseph Malerba (Eric),
Albert Kwan (Le serveur restaurant),
Richard White (Barman pub),
Nadia David (La jolie fille),
Ghyslain Tremblay (Chauffeur pick-up),
Michel Barrette (Loueur de voitures),
Roger Frappier (Pharmacien)
Country: France / Canada
Language: French
Support: Color
Runtime: 95 min
Aka:Father and Sons
The history of French cinema
From its birth in 1895, cinema has been an essential part of French culture. Now it is one of the most dynamic, versatile and important of the arts in France.
Continental Films, quality cinema under the Nazi Occupation
At the time of the Nazi Occupation of France during WWII, the German-run company Continental produced some of the finest films made in France in the 1940s.
In the 1920s French cinema was at its most varied and stylish - witness the achievements of Abel Gance, Marcel L'Herbier, Jean Epstein and Jacques Feyder.