Linh2008 French Film Festival in Adelaide - After Him (Après lui); psychological drama film review
April 1st 2008 21:08
CONNECTING: Catherine Deneuve as Camille and Thomas Dumerchez as Franck in a scene from After Him (Après lui). Image: Gloria Films
As part of the 2008 French Film Festival in Australia, a diverse selection of French cinema featuring some of its most talented actors and actresses will be screened from 27 March to 6 April in Adelaide's Palace Cinemas.
FERVENT FIXATION by Linh
After Him (Après lui) is a character-driven film where an attraction becomes threatening and intense between two people dealing with losing someone close to them.
French screen siren Catherine Deneuve plays the grieving mother Camille, who becomes fixated with clinging onto the memory of her dead son, Mathieu, through his best friend Franck. She finds out Franck was the last to see and speak with Mathieu before he died in the car accident, so she goes 'after him' as a way to deal with her grief and loss.
Despite Franck being responsible for her son's death, Camille grows close to him, even giving him a job at her bookshop and giving him tickets to a rock concert.
Things become unsettling as Camille seems to be making Franck her relacement son or re-creating Franck in Mathieu's image.
Catherine Deneuve gives a brilliant yet subdued performance as the relentless Camille who pursues Franck, and is in fine form throughout.
Thomas Dumerchez is convincing as Mathieu's best friend Franck, who warms to Camille and becomes receptive towards her, perhaps out of guilt for her son's death. Franck grows increasingly concerned for his safety as Camille starts stalking him by waiting outside his house at 2am in the mornings, phoning him constantly and talking to his parents and tutors.
Thomas Dumerchez shines in his role, where his character copes with Mathieu's death by moving on, which is in stark contrast to Camille's numbing grief.
Other notable performances from the supporting cast include Guy Marchand as Camille's concerned ex-husband François, Élodie Bouchez gives a wonderful portrayal of Camille's daughter Laure, and Luis Rego and Amina Medjoubi as Franck's parents who feel uncomfortable with Camille's obsession with their son.
Director Gaël Morel gives After Him (Après lui) a melancholy yet brooding mood with strong performances from an ensemble cast adding much pathos to heighten the drama.
After Him (Après lui) may not suit everyone's cinematic taste, but it's an ambiguous and worthwhile film which benefits from Catherine Deneuve's star power.
COPING: Catherine Deneuve as Camille and Guy Marchand as François in a scene from After Him(Après lui). Image: Gloria Films
Director: Gaël Morel
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Thomas Dumerchez, Guy Marchand, Élodie Bouchez, Elli Medeiros, Luis Rego, Amina Medjoubi, Adrien Jolivet,
Producer: Laurent Lavolè, Isabelle Pragier
Script: Gaël Morel, Christoph Honorè
Cinematographer: Jena-Max Bernard
Editor: Catherine Schwartz
Music: Louis Sclavis
Running time: 90 minutes
Associate production company : Gloria Films Production
Australian distributor: Palace
Language: French with English subtitles
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