Reviews

This unconventional movie takes us to Andalusia (it was directed between Sevilla and Cadiz). It is a road trip with three main characters: a young gay man, his friend who hopes to get pregnant thanks to him and a young girl who claims to be a mermaid. I liked the craziness and the energy that emanate from this story. There are some nice naked scenes and some exciting gay moments. The landscapes are also well shot. But unfortunately, the script was too muddled to draw my attention during 1 hour and 10 minutes. I lost interest several times. It could have been a good short movie, but does not hold up as a feature film.

This documentary introduces us to Sylvie Hofmann, a great woman who is the head nurse in the oncology department of a hospital in Marseille. Despite the trials she goes through and the difficulties she encounters in practicing her profession (lack of staff and resources), I often smiled and sometimes even laughed. It is full of humour and human warmth. I left the screening feeling good and having learned a few things about how a hospital ward works. I love the energy that emanates from this beautiful piece of art. Another fine moment of cinema from Sébastien Lifshitz, after the already remarkable "Adolescents" and "The Invisibles".

Well directed and acted, this fiction with no downtime is close to a documentary. It gives us a better understanding of French caregivers' commitment, as well as their distress in the face of deteriorating working conditions. The story is touching, but never depressing: there is a warmth about this all-round team of midwives. The fact that several medical professionals were involved in the project from start to finish contributes to the realistic look of the movie. Through a gallery of engaging portraits, Toulouse-born director Lea Fehner pays tribute to these passionate, dedicated men and women.

Jim is a Texas police officer whose life is falling apart. His mother just died and his estranged wife plans to move away with their daughter. Though he pretends everything is fine, he has difficulties to cope with the situation, his unpredictable reactions making things worse. Alternating between tragedy and comedy, « Thunder road » explores human vulnerability and celebrates male sensitivity. The issue of toxic masculinity is implicitly addressed, the question being: how can you deal with your emotions if, as a man, you have always been told to repress them? Jim Cummings gives a strong performance. Despite overacting at times, he succeeds in making his character endearing. The most touching moments are the ones he spends with his daughter, trying his best to take care of her. This low budget movie is a good surprise. I enjoyed its quirky atmosphere. It is a rewarding experience until the end, the closing credits being visually and musically beautiful (with a moving violin and cello orchestration of « Skinny Love » by Vitamin String Quartet).

Based on a true story, this film reminds us that addiction is a disease which does not discriminate: it can hit anybody at any time. Indeed, Nic (Timothée Chalamet) does not fit the stereotype of a junkie: raised in a loving upper-middle-class family, he is a good student and shares a close relationship with his father, David (Steve Carell). However, drugs have been part of his life since the age of 12 (alcohol and marijuana at first). The turning point is when he becomes dependent on methamphetamine, at only 18 years old. From that moment on, Nic and his relatives get trapped in a downward spiral. Despite all the support they give him, they are unable to prevent relapses and fear losing him. This movie accurately describes the harmful effects of drugs on family life. It also explores the limits of parental love. Well directed and earnestly performed, « Beautiful boy » is a deeply human drama.

This movie beautifully describes the day to day life of a lower middle class family, in the surroundings of Rio de Janeiro. The love these people share brightens up their lives, keeping their worries away. The story focuses on Irene, a generous and courageous mother, who does not only take care of her 4 young boys and her husband, but also temporarily accommodates her sister and her child. This protective woman has mixed feelings when she learns her eldest son wants to move to Europe. Whereas he looks forward to being independent, she fears losing him. And their difference in perception creates funny situations. This film is full of humanity. It's a nice and positive moment of cinema.

Andrea Bescond got deeply involved in this project. She did not only co-write the script and co-direct the movie with her husband, but she also had the leading role. Adapted from her play of the same name, the story is based on her own experience. As a victim of child abuse, she succeeds in making the plot believable. Thanks to her humor and her energy, it never falls into melodrama. We understand that this trauma left a permanent mark on her mind and that it took years to tidy things up. Dance and psychotherapy helped her release her pain. Even if I was a bit disturbed by the back and forth between past and present, reality and fantasy, I found the movie interesting. Especially because it sounds genuine. Moreover, it shows that child abusers can look like anybody. Most of them are indeed acquaintances or relatives.

This movie focuses on 4 Japanese women in their late thirties. We follow their daily lives and their personal journeys. These 4 friends realize that they are unhappy with their (love) lives and they try to take back control. Several interesting topics are addressed, such as the lack of communication in relationships, the emancipation of women and the quest for self-fulfillment. The 4 non professional actresses give good performances and we get attached to their characters. Being immersed in the Japanese culture is also an enlightening experience. However, the movie is long. Some cuts could have been made.

This documentary gives a good overview of the latest advances in neurobiology and child development. It first explains how a child's brain works and then provides a wide range of educational advice for parents and teachers. Speakers are clear and skillful. The content is easy to understand and we learn fresh ideas.

This film follows the daily life of Elias, a young and attractive gay man. He lives in Sao Paulo and works as an assistant designer in a textile factory. During his free time, he enjoys going out with friends and having sex with other boys. The acting is good, but the story lacks consistency. So I got bored after an hour.

I have mixed feelings about this movie. It's not bad, but it's not awesome either. Some other gay films, such as « Call me by your name » and « Beats per minute », moved me more than this one. Moreover, this love affair sounds a bit unrealistic, given the circumstances (disease, distance and age gap). Fortunately, there are nice moments of tenderness (the reunion in Paris), emotion (the last scene) and humor (Denis Podalydès' choreography or Vincent Lacoste's striptease). The soundtrack features some good music, such as the delicate song « Les gens qui doutent ».

I enjoyed watching this film. Based on a true story, it faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the post-war period, a few years before the building of the Berlin Wall. The direction is sober, apart from the tear-jerking sequence with Jonas Dassler crying in a church. Good acting and plot twists kept my attention until the end. I was moved by the situation of these young people. I also appreciated the values they share, such as solidarity and fraternity. With all they have to go through, it's clear that living at that time in East Germany was not a bed of roses.

This coming of age movie is finely written and directed by Greta Gerwig. She loosely bases the story on her own experiences growing up in Sacramento. The main character, Christine, is 17 years old and calls herself « Lady Bird ». I like her free spirit. Saoirse Ronan fully embodies the role, bringing her energy and her sense of humor. She gives a great performance, as does Laurie Metcalf. Both actresses perfectly capture the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter. The rest of the cast is also good, especially Lucas Hedges and Timothée Chalamet who play the boyfriends. The scenes with them are indeed funny and colorful. This bittersweet comedy deserves to be seen. It's a refreshing portrayal of teenage life.

« Call me by your name » is a beautiful movie about first love. The atmosphere is dreamy and I have been taken on an emotional journey for two hours. Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer give remarkable performances. There is a great chemistry between them. The charming landscapes, the good soundtrack and the delicate direction also contribute to this achievement. I like the way homosexuality is portrayed: being gay is normal; there is no drama queen and no pathos. This is a touching story that makes me want to fall in love.