Category Archives: French

2014, Abduction, Car Chase, Clever Plot, Complicated, Corruption, Crime thriller, Detective, Father-son relations, Forensics, French, French Detective Series, Made For TV, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Revenge, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller, TV Series, Violent

Witnesses (2014)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

A young female detective is put in charge of a case and must delve into her partner’s mysterious past in order to solve it.

Despite the similarity of one detective procedural to every other, some stand out from the crowd as at least a bit better. “Witnesses” is one such series. Accompanying the French dialog you may choose excellent English subtitles. Only one season was made and it consists of 6 episodes. Wikipedia offers very little information.

Many French towns were used for the filming but the story centers on Pas-de-Calais on the northern coast of France. If nothing else, the scenery is worth the viewing. Most interesting is the fact that the town is on two levels: Lower level is on the sea and butts up against the sheer rock cliffs that match the “white cliffs of dover.” Upper level is at the top of those cliffs. To get from lower to upper levels and back, there is a closed-in ski lift that ascends through the rock wall. This lift was built in 1901. Note also the new housing complex of very expensive and spacious homes which figure into the plot.

Personal relations among the characters, especially between Paul Maisonneuve and Sandra Winckler, are essential to the story. Basically the tale is their effort to catch an extremely clever serial killer who has escaped from prison.

Compared with an American detective procedural, this series is less violent. However, there are murders and gun fights.

Because I could stream this from NetFlix, I quickly became addicted.

2012, Amputee, Boxing, Drama, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, French, Love Story, Mixed Martial Arts, Nudity, Optimistic, Redemption, Violent

Rust and Bone (2012)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

An extraordinary story of survival and salvation from the acclaimed, award-winning director of A Prophet. Starring Academy Award Winner Marion Cotillard as Stéphanie, who navigates a gritty relationship with Ali, a street fighter, in a world where love and courage appear in many forms.

When I first saw Matthias Schoenaerts in Bullhead I was very impressed. “Bullhead” is an excellent film but not for everyone because it is quite violent. In both “Bullhead” and “Rust and Bone” Schoenaerts plays a very physical role, that is to say a tough, strong, silent, possibly insensitive character. He can now take these roles because he is a very young looking and very much in good physical shape at the age of 35.

Of all the roles played by Marion Cotillard, probably her portrayal of Edit Piaf in La Vie en Rose. She is NOT an amputee. You can read about the film techniques in the Wikipedia article about the film.

Once again “Rust and Bone” might not be for everyone: there are brutal illegal fights between men for betting purposes (think dog fighting); there is much nudity and very explicit sexual intercourse; there is a harrowing scene on a semi-frozen pond; there are many frank scenes featuring Cotillard as an amputee.

However, the film is basically one about redemption, love, and the ability to mature and change.

If gritty appeals to you, then I heartily recommend both “Bullhead” and “Rust and Bone”.

2011, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, French, Wonderful acting

The Intouchables (2011)

1 Comment

From NetFlix:

Based on a true story, a quadriplegic aristocrat’s world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored ex-con as his caretaker. This unlikely duo overcomes adversity of every flavor as they shatter preconceptions of love, life and each other.

Between François Cluzet (as Phillipe) and Omar Sy (as Driss) the pairing is as entertaining and warm as it is seemingly unlikely. But the story is based on a real such friendship. Be sure to watch enough of the final credits to see photos of the actual persons as well as to learn what happened to them.

Do not be put off by the initial car chase. This is NOT a car chase film. Instead the story tells of the growing connection between a wealthy almost completely paralyzed French aristocrat, Phillipe, and his black ex-con caretaker, Driss, who comes from the other side of the tracks. Driss’s enthusiasm for life is infectious and it eventually enriches Phillipe’s life. Expect frank discussions of sex. Expect some misdirected flirting. Expect some wild, surprising physical adventures (for example, hang gliding). Expect to smoke a lot of weed.

Expect to have a lot of fun watching this wonderful film. No matter your taste in films, DO NOT MISS this French film with English subtitles.

2011, Acceptable for children, Basically Sad, Child Molestation, DO NOT MISS, French, Quiet, School Teacher, Suicide, Wonderful acting

Monsieur Lazhar (2011)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

When an Algerian immigrant seeking asylum in Montreal takes a position replacing an elementary school professor who committed suicide, he finds that his own secret, tragic background enables him to help the children with their loss.

As far as I am concerned, the major theme of this story is the cold adult-student separation enforced by teachers’ fear of being accused of something. You CANNOT hug a child student.

As you watch this quiet, thoughtful, well-acted film you will come to understand how this theme relates to the young woman who committed suicide and to the guilt felt by certain students.

Somewhat secondary as a theme is that life is just not fair. You must see the entire film to understand why I say that. This is NOT a feel-good film.

Relax as you watch this film in French with optional English subtitles. Nothing terrible happens. Expect to be charmed by the students’ interaction with Monsieur Lazhar and saddened by certain turn of events. Expect a wonderful, warm film.

Do Not Miss!

Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, Crime, Crude Talk, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, French, Gangs, Gay theme, Grim, Limburgish, Nudity, Police Story, Psychological Drama, Race Relations, Revenge, Unusual, Violent

Bullhead (2011)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Tortured by his past and despairing of his stultifying present life, Belgian cattle farmer Jacky becomes entangled in a violent web of deceit involving local mobsters and determined policemen after he uses illegal growth hormones on his herd.

Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts is the perfect choice to play the sadly damaged character Jacky Vanmarsenille in this film spoken in Limburgish and French. His facial expressions capture Jacky’s shame, longing, loneliness, shyness, and rage. To say why he feels these emotions would be a major spoiler. Through a series of flashbacks you learn his past history. Expect some very violent scenes.

Although you may find all the crime details confusing, they really are not very original or important. Jacky is important along with those characters associated with his tragic life.

Much of the violence stems from traditional racial hatreds between the many distinct communities, each with its own language.

Bullhead was on the 2012 list of Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.

In retrospect, the ending chosen for the story is quite probably the only possible conclusion.

If you can accept the sadness, violence, and somewhat brutish characters,

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2011, Drama, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, French, Italian, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Unusual, Violent

Unforgivable (2011)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

This moody drama follows the increasingly chaotic life of Francis, a crime novelist who moves to Venice to write his next book. After starting an affair with a young beauty, Francis suspects her of cheating — even as his own daughter goes missing.

“Unforgivable” is spoken in French and Italian with subtitles. Its other name is “Impardonnables”.

What a crazy mixed-up bunch of dysfunctional people! Not a single character would classify in my book as “normal”, whatever that means.

Nor are all the subplots entirely believable. We start with Francis who was a womanizer that left each woman if she confronted him about his multiple affairs. At this point he is probably in his sixties. He is in Venice and visits a rental agency looking for an apartment to rent. Lo and behold the rental agent, Judith, is the former Chanel model Carole Bouquet who just happens to be “drop dead beautiful”. You may not believe it, but during the filming she was 54 years old. At any rate she shows Francis a house on one of the Venetian islands and during that house inspection he asks her to live with him in this island house and she, of course, accepts. For me, seeing an older man having sex with a younger beauty was a first. Needless to say Judith is bi-sexual.

And the plot continues on its bizarre path. We get to meet fatherless sons finishing prison terms for violent tendencies, Judith’s former (woman) lover who is dying of cancer, Francis’ married daughter who is currently on leave from her husband in order to pursue a young Italian drug dealer, etc.

You probably get the idea by now. Not that the film was boring, just weird. Good luck!

2011, Crime, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, French, Love Story, Optimistic, Wonderful acting

The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2011)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Not to be confused with the tale by Ernest Hemingway, this unsettling drama recounts the violent criminal assault and robbery committed against a middle-aged couple, and their discovery that a person they knew orchestrated the attack.

Ignore the NetFlix description. This French film set in Marseille is ultimately a feel-good story in which optimism and kindness triumph. You can find the full plot in the Wikipedia article. If anything the film dramatizes the difficulty of life in Marseille, but actually in any area beset with unemployment, for the younger generation.

As a short version: the husband in the older couple is a loyal unionist who loses his job during a layoff which also effect a certain young employee. Whereas for the older man this layoff is not a tragedy (he owns his house, his wife works), the younger man has an irresponsible young mother (you will be shocked) and two school age younger brothers for whom he is responsible. Out of desperation that younger man robs and assaults the older man, his wife, and another older couple. Accidentally the older man discovers who the culprit is. As the film progresses the older man comes to understand the young man’s difficulties. Finally I will tell you that the culprit is sentenced to 15 years (which will mean 2 or 3 years). Beyond that you have to discover for yourself the heartwarming developments.

French with English subtitles. DO NOT MISS!

2010, Arabic, Complicated, Could Be Hard To Watch, French, Grim, Plot Twist, Prison, Rape, Redemption, Slow, Violent, War

Incendies (2010)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

When their mother’s will implores them to deliver letters to the father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew about, twins Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) journey to the Middle East and attempt to reconstruct their family’s hidden history. Adapted from a Wajdi Mouawad play, director Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar-nominated drama flashes back to intense scenes set during the Lebanese civil war in the 1970s.

Yet another film that is hard to watch, “Incendies” dramatically is better than The Whistleblower (2010). Just be aware that the pace of the film is very slow.

In a certain sense the film involves solving a mystery in which two twins after the death of their mother are asked in her will to find their father and a brother that they had never heard of up to the mother’s death.

Languages are French and Arabic with (subtitles) because the action takes place during the incredibly confusing 1970 Lebanon civil war. If you are confused by the end of the film, try reading the Wikipedia summary which for me explained things I had missed (especially towards the end of the film). You may be surprised by the final piece in the puzzle.

Although this is a brutal film, it is not as explicit as The Whistleblower (2010).

For me watching this film was well worth the patience required.

2010, Based on true facts, Disturbing Image, French, Jewish Culture, Political statement, Violent, War, WWII

Sarah’s Key (2010)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

In the midst of researching an article about the roundup of Jews that took place in Paris in 1942, American-born journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) uncovers a sobering connection between her story and the home she shares with her boorish French husband (Frederic Pierrot). Gilles Paquet-Brenner directs this gripping drama based on a bestselling novel of the same name that was inspired by actual events.

Although the story and the underlying sad history are important (and actually horrifying), the acting in this film was mediocre and sometimes embarrassing. Kristin Scott Thomas’ delivery seemed awfully flat. Aiden Quinn’s acting was just plan bad. Perhaps some of the fault lies in the almost preachy script.

My Jewish brother-in-law hated the French. To understand his attitude, see this film. Some of the scenes of the French treatment of the Jews might make you cringe. Of course, there is always the question “What would I have done under those same frightening circumstances ?”

As a side note, once again I spotted one of those omnipresent secondary actors whose name you don’t know and whose roles you just can’t seem to place. In this case the Italian second Mrs. Rainsferd was Joanna Merlin who plays Judge Lena Petrovsky in “Law and Order: SVU” as well as Loni Goslin in “The Good Wife”.

Dialog is in French and English.

Despite a few uncomfortable or disappointing moments, I am glad I saw the film.

2010, Based on true facts, French, Military, Occasional gore, Quiet, Religious Theme, Slow, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Unusual

Of Gods and Men (2010)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Awarded Grand Prix honors at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, this compelling historical drama relates the ordeal of seven French Trappist monks in the mountains of Algeria who are taken captive by Islamic fundamentalists. Before the monks’ abduction, they have ample reason to believe they may be in danger, but their assumption that there can and must be common ground between Islam and Christianity leads them to remain at the monastery.

Quiet, beautifully photographed, possibly inspiring (depending on your point of view), this film is an unusual gem. It is based on a true story which you will find in the Wikipedia article.

Notable throughout is the chanting of the monks. In fact the only other music that I can recall is Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake overture played on a tape recorder in an unforgettable dinner scene.

Among other things the film is a study in the characters of each of the monks, each of whom must decide whether to flee from death by terrorists or to stay at the monastery and accept his fate. In this respect there is a constant atmosphere of menace at war with the peace and quiet.

Kathy and I debated afterward about whether their decision to stay really did any good for anyone or had any meaning at all.

Normally I don’t like to include spoilers, but here I make an exception for a good reason. Do not avoid this film because you expect to see violence brought against the monks. You never see this violence explicitly. (However, you do witness a Croatian worker having his throat slit.) Rather that final violence is implied in the perfect photographic ending.

French with subtitles.