DRIVING MADELEINE (2024, France)

January 19, 2024

Greetings again from the darkness. This film surprised me with two clear and valuable reminders. First, with a bit of effort, we can always have a positive impact on others – sometimes to the degree that we change their life. Second, everyone has a life story, and we only learn it if we take the time to ask and listen. Writer-director Christian Carion is known for THE GIRL FROM PARIS (2001) and the superb Oscar nominated JOYEUX NOEL (2005). With co-writer Cyril Gely, Carion delivers a heartfelt story of two people with seemingly nothing in common, crossing paths and making a difference.

Charles (Dany Boon) is a Paris-based taxi driver who feels his life crumbling ever so quickly. His marriage is on the rocks. His financial woes seem insurmountable. He’s one more traffic violation from losing his driver’s license, which means no driving a taxi, and of course, more money problems. His dispatcher calls and offers him a fare that would take him cross-town. At first Charles balks, but quickly remembers he needs the cash. Extremely annoyed when he arrives, Charles repeatedly honks his horn until an elderly lady assures him that she’s ready for the ride. In fact, it’s to be Madeleine’s (Line Renaud) final ride. A trip to the nursing home to live out her final days.

Appearing years short of her 92-year age, Madeleine requests Charles to drive her through the areas that were key to her life. It’s a life that has a shocking past and one that slowly emerges as her charms and warmth thaw Charles’ previously irritated demeanor. It’s fascinating to watch a bond … even a friendship … formed from this unusual day trip around the city. These two should share little common ground, but what we find is that people tend to respond to kindness and listening and sincerity. These two help each other in ways neither could have imagined.

Comparisons to Best Picture Oscar winner DRIVING MISS DAISY (1989) are understandable, yet Madeleine and Charles carve out their own movie niche, and we find ourselves liking each of them. Dany Boone starred in director Carion’s history-based JOYEUX NOEL (2005), and although he is best known for his comedic work, that film and this one proves his dramatic chops. Line Renaud began performing in the 1940’s and is a well-known singer in France. As a ‘sometime’ actress, she lights up the screen here as our beloved and spirited Madeleine. The ending may be a bit of a stretch (even though we see it coming), but the real joy here is watching these two connect as flawed human beings.

Progressive theatrical openings on January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 2024

WATCH THE TRAILER

3 Comments | Comedy, Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

Lolo (France, 2016)

March 12, 2016

lolo Greetings again from the darkness. The old saying “opposites attract” is on full display in director and co-writer Julie Delpy’s latest, as she offers up a twist on the French farce by adding a dark undercurrent. Additionally, the film addresses the personal and societal challenges facing women in their 40’s who are successful in their career, and who also hold out hope for finding true love.

Ms. Delpy also stars as Violette, a germaphobe divorcee who works in the fashion industry in Paris. The film opens as Violette and her best friend Ariane (Karen Viard) are deep into girl-chat while hanging out at a spa … each annoyed that they are without a soul mate that would complete their lives (or at least fill the sexual void).

After dumping a freshly caught tuna in Violette’s lap (as they meet for the first time), and then informing her that he understands she’s not his type … you know, since she is a lesbian (which she is not) … Jean-Rene (Dany Boon) re-groups and begins charming her with his grounded and simple nature. These two form a cute, but odd couple of opposites and seem to very much enjoy each other’s company.

Things start to get confusing for the couple when her 19 year old son Lolo (Vincent Lacoste) begins his (initially) subtle clandestine activities designed to break up the couple. Soon enough we realize this wannabe artist goes well beyond typical passive-aggressive activities, and straight into full-on psychotic mode with Oedipal tendencies. His psychological warfare against Jean-Rene slowly builds from childish antics, to deceitful and devilish scheming, to downright criminal … all with a sense of black comedy for us viewers (can’t say the same for Jean-Rene).

Other movies such as Cyrus and We Need to Talk about Kevin have dealt with the mother-son relationships ranging from creepy to dangerous, but Delpy’s movie always hits us with a dose of laughter when it’s needed. The use of the movie classic Village of the Damned (1960) is especially spot on as Violette and Jean-Rene continue to plug away as a couple … even when it’s obvious to us that 3 is too many for a healthy relationship – especially when one could be a reincarnation of Damien from The Omen.  The perfect ending reminds us that no one beats the French when it comes to a farce; even when the darkness is sprinkled on a bit heavier than usual.

watch the trailer:

 

Leave a Comment » | Comedy, Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson